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There are a number of factors that contribute to young drivers’ high crash rates, especially their lack of behind-the-wheel experience. Driving is a relatively complex skill, and regardless of the level of maturity and intelligence, young drivers are still beginners. Some skills take longer to master. In a life-threatening situation, young drivers may simply lack the experience necessary to respond in an effective manner.
Studies show basic vehicle control skills–like turning, steering, and stopping–are achieved quite quickly. But perceptual, judgment, and decision-making skills take longer to acquire. For example, compared to more experienced drivers, novices concentrate eye movements in a smaller area, refer to their rearview mirror less often, and look closer in front and to the right of the vehicle. And advanced motoring skills–such as driving at night and during rush hour, detecting threats, and recovering from a skid–take plenty of practice to master.
| In 1997, more than 48 percent of the teen driver-related fatal crashes on Missouri roads involved teens speeding. |
Nationally, AAA has found about 75 percent of the fatal crashes involving 15- to 20-year-old drivers were caused by driver error or other factors related to the driver's behavior. Factors most often noted were failure to keep in the proper lane or running off the road and driving too fast for conditions. Teen drivers also are less likely to use safety belts and other occupant protection devices, so the consequences often are more severe.
On Missouri's roads, the most common driver errors contributing to crashes include speeding, failure to yield, inattention, and drinking. In 1997, young drivers 16–18 years of age committed such errors in more than 73 percent of the fatal crashes in which they were involved. And in 1997, one of every 10 young drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking.
Making matters worse is the fact young drivers typically exhibit impulsive and high risk-taking behavior. Their immaturity translates into poor driving judgment. Some young drivers may actually seek out demanding or risky situations so they can test their skills, as a way to make driving more exciting and fun. Also, teens often feel they are impervious to physical harm, and that feeling of invulnerability is responsible for some risky behavior behind the wheel and an over-inflated sense of one's driving skills. They will often take dangerous risks they don't even realize are risks.
Not only do they take more risks behind the wheel, but young drivers have high-risk exposure to situations ripe for crashes. Novice motorists often drive during nighttime high-risk hours, when visibility is lower. And they typically drive with several of their friends in the car, who can distract them and add to the peer pressure to take risks. Indeed, more teens commit driver errors with passengers in the car than when driving alone, according to Missouri fatal crash statistics.
Unfortunately, the only way for novice drivers to gain experience, sharpen their abilities and develop proper decision-making skills is through driving. For example, a person who has little experience driving and is approaching a bus stop may not perceive the potential hazard of pedestrians entering and exiting the bus. In comparison, an experienced driver has developed expectancies from encountering similar situations and can use them to avoid trouble.
Statistics clearly show the risk of a collision declines significantly after obtaining several years of on-the-road driving experience. The challenge is allowing drivers to gain that experience in as safe a manner as possible.
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