Why is there renewed interest from the world’s leading motoring organizations in tougher rules for young drivers? Many parents and young people
The simple answer is statistics. Younger drivers, which also means newer drivers, are more likely to crash than any other clearly identifiable group. everywhere.
But nothing is that simple. Whether a driver is safer or more dangerous depends on competence, attitude, personality, temperament, physical abilities, experience, health, judgment, education, technical skills, vehicle characteristics and conditions, traffic density and patterns, enforcement policies, compliance levels, economy, etc. . etc.
Each of these elements is a distinct factor, but every driver has a combination of them all – to varying and widely different degrees.
Age itself is not a major determinant. There are some young drivers who have technical ability and diligence; Some of them are also cautious, considerate, and have better abilities (sight and reflexes) than their elders.
It must be recognized that some young people are quick learners, and some older people are not prone to continuous improvement.
What usually goes hand in hand with age is experience (although 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 blood to explore risks rather than avoid them.
What the particular interest in young drivers reflects is a statistical ‘pattern’, which is convincing enough to persuade all countries (!) to set a minimum age for obtaining a driving licence, and some to impose strict restrictions on young drivers even after they have qualified for a licence. .
In France, new drivers had to continue wearing “rookie” plates for a year (!) after passing the test; In Canada, new drivers are not allowed to carry minor passengers in their first year; In Kenya, they are (in theory) only allowed to drive matatus after they have five years’ experience; In many places, young drivers are subject to various restrictions until they reach 21 years of age.
No one studies statistics more seriously than insurance companies, and in most countries, these companies allocate insurance premiums in line with the risk levels of different types of cars, ages of drivers… and even the location of the prime (which also takes into account the prevalence of theft).
In the UK, the insurance premium for an 18-year-old driver is twice (!) that of a 24-year-old driver, all other things being equal. Insurance companies don’t care much about the causes of accident trends, but they are very aware of the results.
Emphasizing that their policy is based on facts, they are also pushing for the reinstatement of annual tests for drivers over the age of 80. Thanks to the post-war “baby boom” and ever-increasing longevity, there are now unprecedented numbers of elderly motorists… The statistical result is not positive. The retest focuses on eyesight, physical coordination and cognitive status!