Why is there renewed attention from the world’s leading motoring organisations on stricter rules for younger drivers? Several Parents and Youngsters
The simple answer is statistics. Younger drivers, which also means newer drivers, are far more prone to having crashes than any other clearly definable category. Everywhere.
But nothing is that simple. Whether a driver is safer or more dangerous depends on aptitude, attitude, personality, mood, physical acuities, experience, health, judgement, tuition, technical skills, vehicle characteristics and conditions, traffic density and patterns, enforcement policies, compliance levels, economics etc. etc.
Each of those elements is a distinct factor, but every driver has a mix of them all – to widely differing and variable degrees.
Age of itself is not a prime determinant. There are some very young drivers who are technically capable and diligent; some of them are also cautious, considerate and have better acuities (eyesight, reflexes) than their elders.
And it must be recognised that some young people are fast learners, and some older people are not prone to continual improvement.
What does usually go hand-in hand with age is experience (though in Kenya we have a disproportionate number of motorists who are more mature in age but relatively “new” to driving) and the natural and necessary tendency of young-bloods to explore risk rather than avoid it.
What special attention to young drivers reflects is a statistical “pattern”, which is compelling enough to persuade all (!) countries to set a minimum age for a driving licence, and some to severely restrict young drivers even after they have qualified for a licence.
In France, new drivers had to continue wearing “beginner” plates for a year (!) after passing their test; in Canada new drivers are not allowed to carry young passengers in their first year; in Kenya they are (theoretically) not allowed to drive matatus until they have five years’ experience; and in several places young drivers have sundry restrictions until they are 21.
No one studies statistics more diligently than insurance companies, and in most countries, they tailor their premiums in line with risk levels for different kinds of car and driver age…and even primary location (which also considers prevalence of theft).
In UK, the insurance premium for an 18-year old driver is double (!) the premium for a 24-year-old, all other things being equal. Insurance companies are not so much concerned with the reasons for accident trends – but they are very savvy about the outcomes.
And, affirming that their policy is based on fact, they are also pressing for annual re-tests of drivers over 80. Thanks to the post war “Baby Boom” and ever-increasing longevity, there are now unprecedented numbers of elderly motorists…and the statistical outcome is not positive. The re-test focusses on eyesight, physical co-ordination and cognitive condition!
