High risk of car accident in young drivers: which answer to a no remedy problem?

Journal title RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA
Author/s Max Dorfer
Publishing Year 2013 Issue 2012/1 Language Italian
Pages 35 P. 103-137 File size 848 KB
DOI 10.3280/RIP2012-001006
DOI is like a bar code for intellectual property: to have more infomation click here

Below, you can see the article first page

If you want to buy this article in PDF format, you can do it, following the instructions to buy download credits

Article preview

FrancoAngeli is member of Publishers International Linking Association, Inc (PILA), a not-for-profit association which run the CrossRef service enabling links to and from online scholarly content.

In many countries the number of fatal road accidents and accidents with serious injuries has decreased significantly in recent decades. Despite this considerable improvement the high risk of road accidents by young drivers continues to persist. This article describes the main results of contemporary reviews and research on the effectiveness of interventions, major methodological problems which have incurred the previous studies and also specify the countermeasures that seems most promising. Is also dealt with the central issue of why the high risk of accidents for young drivers is more difficult to solve than others. Over time, many countermeasures have been developed to reduce road accidents of young drivers. The conclusions reached by the most recent reviews of the scientific literature on the effectiveness of these interventions are consistent: there is little or no evidence that the training of young drivers and novice drivers reduce the risk of road accidents. Programs which are aimed at increasing the driving experience such as GDL and accompanied driving are effective in decreasing traffic accidence. This programs however do not constitute a satisfactory solution to this problem because the risk of road accidents of young drivers continues to remain unacceptably high. Some programs such as insight training and commentary driving seem promising. More research is needed. To reduce road accidents by young drivers are recommended, in addition to specific interventions such as the GDL and accompanied driving, all other countermeasures that have already documented the effectiveness for the general population of drivers.

Keywords: Young driver, Novice driver, Driver training, Risk factors, Accident countermeasures, Driver training evaluation.

  1. Allen, R.W., Park, G.D., & Cook, M.L. (2010). Simulator fidelity and validity in a transfer-of-training context. Transp. Res. Rec. 2185, 40-47.
  2. Bartl, G., Keskinen, E., Hatakka, M., & Stummvoll, G. (2000). Objective. In G. Bartl (ed.) DAN-Report. Description and Analysis of post licensing Measures for Novice Drivers. Wien: Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit
  3. Bartl, G., & Hager, B. (2006). Unfallursachenanalyse bei PKW-Lenkern. Wien: Institut Gute Fahrt.
  4. Bart, G., & Dorfer, M. (2004). Interventi preventivi e riabilitativi rivolti a conducenti in giovane età: Rassegna europea. In M. Dorfer (Ed.), Psicologia del traffico. Analisi e trattamento del comportamento alla guida (pp. 289-302). Milano: McGraw-Hill.
  5. Berg, H.-Y., Gregersen, N.P., & Laflamme, L. (2004). Typical pattern in roadtraffic accidents during driver training: An explorative Swedish national study. Accident Analysis Prevention, 36, 603-608
  6. Carstensen, G. (2002). The effect on road accident risk of a change in driver education in Denmark. Accident Analysis Prevention, 34, 111-121
  7. Cassavaugh, N.D., & Kramer, A.F. (2009). Transfer of computer-based training to simulated driving in older adults. Applied Ergonomics, 40, 943-952.
  8. Christie, R. (2001). The effectiveness of driver training as a road safety measure: A review of the literature. Victoria: Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV).
  9. Clinton, K., & Lonero, L. (2006). Evaluation of Driver Education: Comprehensive Guidelines, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Washington, DC
  10. Dahl, R.E. (2008). Biological, Developmental, and Neurobehavioral Factors relevant to Adolescent Driving Risk. American Journal of Preventive medicine. 35, 278-284.
  11. Davis, C.S. (1990). The DeKalb County George, driver education demonstration project: Analysis of its long term effect, Washington DC, U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffics Safety Administration
  12. de Winter, J.C.F., Wieringa, P.A., Kuipers, J., Mulder, J.A., Mulder, M. (2007). Violations and Errors during simulator-based driver training. Ergonomics 50, 138-158.
  13. de Winter, J.C.F., de Groot, S., Mulder, M., Wieringa, P.A., Dankelman, J., & Mulder, J.A. (2009). Relationship between driving simulator performance and driving test results. Ergonomics 52, 137-153
  14. Dorn, L., & Barker, D. (2005). The effects of driver training on simulated driving performance. Accid. Anal. Prev. 37, 63-69
  15. Dorn, L., Brown, B. (2003). Making sense of invulnerability ad work – a qualitative study of police drivers. Safety Science, 41, 837-859.
  16. Drexler, A., & Themess-Huber, M. (2004). Teorie del comportamento e modelli in psicologia del traffic. In M. Dorfer (Ed.). Psicologia del traffico. Analisi e trattamento del comportamento alla guida (pp. 23-44). Milano: McGraw-Hill
  17. Elvik, R. (2002). The importance of confounding in observational before-and-after studies of road safety measures. Accident Analysis Prevention, 34, 631- 635.
  18. Elvik, R. (2004). To what extent can theory account for the findings of road safety evaluation studies? Accident Analysis Prevention, 36, 841-849.
  19. Elvik, R. (2008). Dimensions of road safety problems and their measurement. Accident Analysis Prevention,42, 1089-1096
  20. Elvik, R. (2010). Why some road safety problems are more difficult to solve than others. Accident Analysis Prevention, 42, 1089-1096.
  21. Elvik, R. (2012). The range of replications technique for assessing the external validity of road safety evaluation studies. Accident Analysis Prevention, 45, 272-280.
  22. Evans, L. (1999). Traffic Safety and the Driver. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
  23. Fastenmeier, W. (1995). Situationsspezifisches Fahrverhalten und Informationsbedarf verschiedener Fahrergruppen. In W. Fastenmeier (Ed.), Autofahrer und Verkehrssicherheit: neue Wege zur Bewertung von Sicherheit und Zuverlässigkeit moderner Straßenverkehrssysteme. Bonn: Deutscher Psychologen Verlag.
  24. Fisher, D.L., Laurie, N.E., Glaser, R., Connerney, K., Pollatsek, A., Duffy, S.A., & Brock, J. (2002). Use of a fixed-base driving simulator to evaluate the effects of experience and PC-based risk awareness training on drivers’ decisions. Human Factors, 44, 387-302.
  25. Fisher, D.L., Pollatsek, A., & Pradhan, A. (2006). Can novice drivers be trained to scan for information that will reduce their likelihood of a crash? Injury Prevention, 12, i25-i29.
  26. Foss, R.D. (2007). Improving graduated driver licensing systems: A conceptual approach and its implications. Journal of Safety Research, 38, 185-192.
  27. Grattenthaler, H., & Krüger, H.-P. (2009). Bedeutung der Fahrpraxis für den Kompetenzerwerb beim Fahrenlernen. Literaturstudie. Berichte der Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen. Mensch und Sicherheit. Heft M 201. Bergisch Gladbach.
  28. Gregersen, N.P. (1996). Young drivers’ overestimation of their own skill – an experiment on the relation between training strategy and skill. Accident Analysis Prevention, 28, 243-250
  29. Gregersen, N.P., Nyberg, A., & Berg, H.-Y. (2003). Accident involvement among learner drivers - an analysis of the consequences of supervised practice. Accident Analysis Prevention, 35, 725-730
  30. Griffin, K.W., Botwin, G.J., & Nichols, T.R.. (2004). Long-term follow-up effects of a school-based drug abuse prevention program on adolescent risky driving. Prevention Science, 5, 2007-2012
  31. Heinrich, H.C., & Hundhausen, G. (1982). Möglichkeiten zu einer Neugestaltung des Fahrausbildungssystems. Forschungsberichte der Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen. Köln: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen, Bereich Unfallforschung
  32. Hirsh, P., Maag, U., & Laberge-Nadeau, C. (2006). The role of driver education in the licensing process in Quebec. Traffic Injury Prevention, 7, 130-142.
  33. Holte, H. (2012). Einflussfaktoren auf das Fahrverhalten und das Unfallrisiko junger Fahrerinnen und Fahrer. Berichte der Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen- Mensch und Sicherheit. Heft M 229. Bergisch Gladbach
  34. Horneman, C. (1993). Driver Education and Training: A Review of the Literature. Sidney: Road Safety bureau.
  35. Horswill, M.S., Waylen, A.E., & Tofield, M.I. (2004). Drivers’ rating of different components of their own driving skill: A greater illusion of superiority for skills that relate to accident involvement. Journal of applied Social Psychology, 34, 177-195.
  36. Johnston, J. (2010). Beyond „best practice“ road safety thinking and systems management – A case for culture change research. Safety Science, 48, 1175- 1181
  37. Katila, A., Keskinen, E., & Hatakka, M. (1996). Conflicting goals of skid training. Accident Analysis Prevention, 28, 785-789.
  38. Katila, A., Keskinen, E., Hatakka, M., & Laapotti, S. (2004). Does increased confidence among novice drivers imply a decrease in safety? The effects of skid training on slippery road accidents. Accident Analysis Prevention, 36, 543- 550.
  39. Ker, K., Roberts, I., Collier, T., Beyer, F., Bunn, F., & Frost, C. (2005). Post-license driver education for the prevention of road safety crashes: A systematic review of randomised controlled trals. Accident Analysis Prevention, 37, 305- 313
  40. Kroj, G., & Schulze, H. (2001). Das Unfallrisiko junger Fahrerinnen und Fahrer – Ursachen und Lösungsperspektiven. Relazione al secondo congresso internazionale Junge Fahrer & Fahrerinnen. Wolfsburg, 29/30 ottobre.
  41. Langford, J., Methorst, R., & Hakamies-Blomqvist, L. (2006). Older drivers do not have a high crash risk – A replication of low mileage bias. Accident Analysis and Prevention. 28, 574-578.
  42. Laureshyn, A., Svensson, Å., & Hydén, C. (2010). Evaluation of traffic safety, based on micro-level behavioural data: Theoretical framework and first implementation. Accident Analysis Prevention, 42, 1637-1646.
  43. Lonero, L., & Mayhev, D., (2010). Large–Scale Evaluation Review of the Literature on Driver Education Evaluation – AAA. Washington, DC: Foundation for Traffic Safety
  44. Lund, A., Williams, A., & Zador, P. (1986). High school driver education: Evaluation of the DeKalb County study. Accident Analysis Prevention, 18. 349- 357.
  45. Lundberg, C., Hakamies-Blomqvist, L., Almkvist, O., Johansson, K. (1998). Impairments of some cognitive functions are common in crash-involved older drivers. Accident Analysis Prevention, 30, 371-377.
  46. Lewis-Evans, B. (2010). Crash involvement during the different phases of the New Zealand Graduated Driving Licensing Systems (GDLS). Journal of Safety Research, 41, 359-365
  47. Mayhew, D.R., & Simpson, H.M. (1996). Effectiveness and role of Driver Education and Driving in a graduated Licensing System. Ottawa, Ontario: Traffic Injury Research Foundation
  48. Mayhew, D.R., Simpson, H.M., & Pak, A. (2003). Changes in collision rates among novice drivers during the first month of driver education and training. Accident Analysis Prevention, 35, 683-691.
  49. Maykock, G., Lockwood, C.R., & Lester, J.F. (1991). The accident liability of car drivers, TRL Research Report 315. Crowthorne, Berkshire: Transportation Research Laboratory TLR
  50. Masten, S.V., & Hagge, R.A. (2004). Evaluation of California’s graduated driver licensing program. Journal of Safety Research, 35, 523-535.
  51. McKnight, A.J., & McKnight, A.S. (2003). Young novice drivers: Careless or clueless? Accident Analysis Prevention, 35, 921-925
  52. Nichols, J. (2003). Driver education: A historical review. National Transportation Safety Board Public Forum on Driver Education and Training (Report of Procedings). Washington, DC: National transportation Research Board.
  53. Nilsson, G. (2004). Traffic Safety Dimensions and the Power Model to Describe the Effect of Speed to Safety. Bulletin 211. Lund Institute of Technology. Department of Technology and Society. Traffic Engineering, Lund
  54. Nyberg, A., Gregersen, N.P., & Wiklund, M. (2007). Practicing in relation to the outcome of the driving test. Accident Analysis Prevention, 39, 159-168
  55. Owsley, C., Bal, K., McGwin, G., Sloane, M.E., Roenker, D.L., White, M.F., & Overley, E.T. (1998). Visual processing impairment and risk of motor vehicle crash among older adults. JAMA 279, 1083-1088.
  56. Progetto UE ADVANCED (2002). Description and analysis of post licence driver and rider training. Final report. Brussels: CIECA
  57. Progetto UE BASIC (2003). Basic driver training: New models. Final report. Turku, Finland: University of Turku, Department of Psychology
  58. Progetto UE DAN (2000). Description and analysis of post licensing measures for novice drivers. Vienna, Austria: Austrian Road Safety Board (KfV).
  59. Progetto UE GADGE (1999). Work package 3. Driver training, testing and licensing - towards theory-based management of young drivers injury risk in road traffic. Berne: bfu
  60. Progetto UE MERIT (2005). Minimum requirements for driving instructor training. Final report. Vienna, Austria: Institut Gute Fahrt.
  61. Progetto UE NOVEV, (2004). Evaluation of post-licence training schemes for novice drivers. Final report. Brussels: CIECA.
  62. Rivara FP, Thompson DC, & Cummings P. (1999). Effectiveness of primary and secondary enforced seat belt laws. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 16(1), 30-39
  63. Roberts, L., & Kwan, I. (2001). School-based driver education for the prevention of traffic crashes, Cochrane Library 1, Cochrane Data Base of Systematic Reviews, 3 (CD003201). Update Software, Oxford.
  64. Russel, K.F., Vandermeer, B., & Hartling, L. (2011). Graduated driver licensing for reducing motor vehicle crashes among young drivers. Cochrane Databse Syst. Rev. (10) (Art. No.: CD003300).
  65. Schade, F.-D., & Heinzmann, H.-J. (2011). Sicherheitswirksamkeit des Begleiteten Fahrens ab 17. Summative Evaluation. Berichte der Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen Mensch und Sicherheit Heft M 218. Bergisch Gladbach
  66. Schlag, B., & Heger, R. (2002). Empfehlungen zur Berücksichtigung physiologischer und psychologischer Fähigkeiten und Grenzen der Kraftfahrer bei der Straßenplanung in Brandenburg. 1. Stufe: Systematisierung und Evaluation vorhandener Erkenntnisse. Land Brandenburg. Landesamt für Bauen, Verkehr und Straßenwesen.
  67. Senserrik, T., Ivers, R., Boufous, S., Chen, H.-Y., Norton, R., Stevenson, M., van Beurden, E., & Zask, A. (2009). Young driver education programs that build resilience have potential to reduce road crashes. Pediatrics, 124, 1287-1292.
  68. Siegrist, S. (2004). Le strategie di sorveglianza da un punto di vista psicologico. In: Dorfer, M. (Ed.) Psicologia del traffico. Analisi e trattamento del comportamento alla guida (pp. 302-325). Milano: McGraw-Hill.
  69. Shope, J.T., & Bingham, C.R. (2008). Teen driving: Motor-Vehicle Crashes and Factors That Contribute. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 35, 261- 271.
  70. Steinberg, L. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Development Review, 28, 78-106.
  71. Stock, J., Weaver, J., Ray, H., Brink, J., & Sadof, M. (1983). Evaluation of safe performance secondary driver education curriculum demonstration project, final report. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
  72. Summala, H. (1987). Young driver accidents: Risk taking or failure of skills? Alcohol. Druges and Driving, 3, 79-81.
  73. Theeuwes, J., & Godthelp, H. (1995). Self-explaining roads. Safety Science, 19, 217-226.
  74. Tronsmoen, T. (2008). Association between self-assessment of driving ability, driver training and crash involvement among young drivers. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 11, 334-346.
  75. Tronsmoen, T. (2010). Association between driver training, determinants of risky driving behavior and crash involvement. Saf. Sci. 48, 35-45.
  76. Underwood, G., Crundall, D., & Chapman, P. (2002). Selective searching while driving: The role of experience in hazard detection and general surveillance. Ergonomics, 45, 1-12.
  77. Vernick, J., Li, G., Ogaitis, S., McKenzie, E.J., Baker, S.P., & Gielen, A.C. (1999). Effects of high-school driver education on motor vehicle crashes, violations and licensure. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 16, 40-46.
  78. Wang, Y., Zhang, W., & Salvendy, G. (2010). Effects of a simulation-based training intervention on novice drivers‘ hazard handling performance. Traffic Injury Prevention, 11, 16-24.

Max Dorfer, L’elevato rischio di incidenti stradali dei giovani conducenti: quali soluzioni ad un problema apparentemente senza soluzione? in "RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA " 1/2012, pp 103-137, DOI: 10.3280/RIP2012-001006