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THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCE
Dr Teresa Senserrick, PhD
Learner Driver Mentor Program Seminar Sydney, 12 May 2009
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCE Dr Teresa Senserrick, PhD Learner - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCE Dr Teresa Senserrick, PhD Learner - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCE Dr Teresa Senserrick, PhD Learner Driver Mentor Program Seminar Sydney, 12 May 2009 Overview > Youth and road trauma in NSW > Crash risk from Ls to Ps > Age versus inexperience > Why 120 hours? >
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Over-representation of NSW youth in road trauma
> #1 cause of death & acquired disability > Novice drivers aged ≤25 years
> 15% licensed driver population > 36% road fatalities
> Novice driver crashes 1993-2003
> Over 1,000 fatalities
> 17 year-old P1 drivers
> 4x more likely to be involved in fatal crash than driver >25
(RTA, 2008)
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Young driver casualty crash risk – Victoria
(VicRoads, 2008)
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Young driver casualty crash risk - Queensland
(Queensland Transport, 2009)
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Young driver crash risk – Nova Scotia, Canada
(Mayhew et al, 2003)
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Young driver crash risk - Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, United States
(McCarrt et al, 2003)
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Young driver crash risk - Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, United States
(McCarrt et al, 2003)
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Older age at provisional licensure reduces crash risk
Figure 2. Self-reported crashes per million kilometres by licensing and crash age in The Netherlands (Twisk, 2007)
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Why 120 hours?
In September 1993, Sweden increased learner period > From 6 to 24 months > Minimum age from 17½ to 16 years > Minimum ‘provisional’ licence age remained 18 years > Minimum learner period remained 6 months Significant reductions in crashes for those using 24 months
> 40% reduction to previous years > 24% reduction compared to 6 months
> 15% overall reduction in crashes
Those using full 24-month learner period averaged 120 hours supervised driving compared to 45 hours for those licensed 6 months
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Common supervisory driving requirements for learners
Australia 0, 25, 50, 100, 120 hours Austria 3,000 kms* Finland 1,000 kms France 3,000 kms* Great Britain 15 hours Northern Ireland 10 hours Norway 2,000 kms Sweden 80 hours / 4,000 kms* United States 0, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60 hours
* Optional
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Positive findings - Austria: 3,000 km reduced crash risk
KEY: SE = traditional L17 = 3,000 km supervised driving option
(Twisk, 2007)
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Negative findings - France: 3,000 km no change in crash risk
(Page et al, 2000; Twisk, 2007)
> Higher success rate on driving tests > No change in casualty crashes 2 years after introduction > Insufficient experience in complex situations
> Mostly routine trips, e.g., to local shops
> Demanding situations taken over by supervisory driver
> No real transfer to more independent driving
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Conclusions
> Requirements too new for conclusive findings > Unknown impact on actual skill development Likely benefits > Extension of learner licence duration
> Effective in reducing crashes (5-32%)
> Older age at provisional licensure > Private vs professional training increases exposure
> Times of day & weather conditions, particularly at night and in darkness > Speed zones, road types & trip durations
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Conclusions
Likely disbenefits > Disproportionate impact on disadvantaged communities
> Lack of qualified supervisory drivers > Lack of access to vehicle for supervised practices