YOUNG drivers have ‘alarming gaps’ in their knowledge of critical road safety issues and are costing the economy $6 billion every year, a new study has found.
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The research by Road Safety Education (RSE) revealed young drivers are struggling with a range of issues, including the relationship between speed and braking distances and the increased risk of crashing when carrying same age passengers.
Youth road trauma is also coming at a cost to the economy, with the combined cost of crashes involving 17 to 24 year olds in Australia and New Zealand close to $6 billion.
The four-year study also revealed a bevy of factors influencing young driver behaviour, including inexperience, greater risk taking, impulsiveness and distraction, sleep patterns, peer influence, unsafe cars, driving at high risk time and heightened optimism.
“Given the enormity of this cost to society, the prevention of trauma on the road prevents a vital public policy priority,” RSE managing director Terry Birss said.
The figures come just one week after the region’s newest motorists had an eye-opening experience in Tamworth at the Young Drivers’ Expo.
The expo gives young drivers a shocking insight into the real life consequences of car accidents and subsequent trauma, through a series of emergency scenarios.
Around 1400 year 11 students from more than 20 schools attended the event organised by Tamworth Regional Council, coming in from as far as Tenterfield and Merriwa.
