Every year many young road users are lost to road traffic crashes, but why are so many young lives lost, and what can be done to prevent this?
Young drivers pose a high risk on roads not only in South Africa, but globally as well.
International research has revealed that the characteristics of crashes involving young drivers differ from those involving drivers with more experience in some important ways.
For example, crashes involving alcohol, speeding, and the overloading of passengers are about 20 times more likely for teens than for middle-aged drivers.
This has been confirmed by data collected and compiled from across South Africa as well as calculations from actuaries in the insurance industry.
What makes young drivers a bigger crash risk? Factors include the following:
- Driver inexperience;
- bravado, ego, or a sense of “invincibility”;
- failure to wear seatbelts;
- drunk or impaired driving;
- night driving or driver fatigue; and
- distracted driving or walking.
The above-mentioned factors are not exclusive to South African students and younger drivers.
Driver inexperience
- Young drivers do not have the necessary driving experience and often display a lack of mature judgment.
- A new driver has seldom been exposed to driving in difficult conditions such as in bad weather, on icy roads, in strong winds, etc.
- They also may not have the experience of driving in remote locations, driving in mountainous areas, on gravel roads, and with different models of vehicles.
- They fail to adjust their driving to the conditions, leading to numerous vehicle rollovers.
- Inexperience is the reason why these drivers are more likely to underestimate hazardous situations.
- As opposed to older drivers, they are more likely to drive speedily, run red lights, make illegal turns, drive after using alcohol or drugs, or ride with an intoxicated driver.
With some additional training the young driver can be assisted to prevent collisions by making use of the Standard Accident Prevention Formula:
1. Recognise the hazard: Think and look as far ahead as possible. Never assume everything will be all right and always expect the unexpected.
2. Understand the defence: There are certain methods of handling each traffic situation; know these and teach yourself to react accordingly when the need arises.
3. Act timeously: Once you have seen the hazard and you have recognised the defence, never adopt a ‘wait and see’ attitude as you will be wasting valuable time and space.
Bravado, ego, or a sense of “invincibility”
- Young drivers, especially male drivers, tend to have an attitude of “feeling invincible”.
- There is the mistaken belief that “it will not happen to me” and “I know what I am doing.”
- Young drivers have a sense that they can get away with transgressions – a feeling of bravado whereby “I can get away with anything”.
- This leads to unnecessary risk-taking, aggressive driving behaviour, and road rage.
Recommendations include:
Although exterior and interior checks of your car are vital, an attitude check is just as helpful in preventing accidents.
A positive, pro-active attitude can really help reduce collisions.
- These include a tolerance and consideration for other road users, and restraining yourself from reacting aggressively to another road user’s aggressive behaviour;
- holding a realistic view of your own driving abilities; and
- having concern for your safety and that of your passengers and other road users.
- If it is necessary to drive at or above the speed limit it should be done with complete concentration, clear visibility and knowledge of your stopping distance.
- If you increase your speed, you should expect an increase of your required braking distance.
Failure to wear seatbelts
Research indicates that teens have the lowest rate of seatbelt use.
- Teen passengers greatly increase the crash risk of teen drivers, increasing with each additional passenger. In short – the more passengers, the greater the risk.
- Young drivers and student drivers often carry more passengers than can be safely secured with seatbelts in the vehicle.
- Unbelted passengers become projectiles in a road crash, often killing their fellow vehicle occupants.
- Most deaths involving unbelted vehicle occupants occur between midnight and 03:00 – also prime time for impaired driving.
- There is often a false sense of security that airbags will save lives and prevent injury in a road crash. It needs to be emphasised that “the back seat is no safer” and that everyone must be buckled in – front and back seats.
Drunk or impaired driving
Alcohol influences a young driver’s performance to a larger extent.
- Students are at particular risk of heavy drinking and the serious consequences thereof, including impaired driving.
- Impairment most often results from alcohol and drug use, fatigue and distraction.
- Even though we recommend a zero alcohol intake for drivers, it is important to also educate on the legal limits and the units of alcohol, the absorption of alcohol in the body etc.
- Our younger road users who are not consuming alcohol themselves should be advised not to climb in a vehicle with a driver who is impaired.
- Self-testing and breathalysing should be encouraged.
- Designated driving services should be promoted as part of informed decision making.
Night driving and driver fatigue
Fatigue can set in after a long day at work, studying for an exam, participating in a sports event and many other activities.
- Sleep-related crashes are most common in young people, who tend to stay up late, sleep too little, and drive at night during sleeping hours.
- Road crashes by young drivers occur mostly on Friday and Saturday nights between 21:00 and 06:00.Sleep-related crashes are most common in young people, who tend to stay up late, sleep too little, and drive at night during sleeping hours.
- It is estimated that night driving is up to three times more dangerous than driving during the day.
- If possible, avoid driving through the night or late at night. The best way to prevent driver fatigue is to start a journey well rested.
- Good, clear visibility is vital, so make sure your windscreen is clean and that your windscreen wipers are used in wet weather.
- Head and tail lights should be in good working condition with the lenses clean and headlamps properly adjusted to give a good beam ahead without dazzling other road users.
- Slow down when in dimly lit, urban areas and remain alert to the not so visible and impaired pedestrian.
- Approach and proceed across Intersections with caution.
Distracted driving
There is growing concern of the dangers posed by motorists using cellular phones whilst driving.
- Students and young road users are too often engaging in social media behind the steering wheel.
- Best advice is to avoid using cellular phones when driving.
- If you have to make a call on a hands free cellular phone – ask a passenger to dial or answer the phone for you.
- Keep your calls brief.
- If you expect such a call to last longer than a few seconds – be on the lookout for a suitable spot to pull over.
- Never take notes or jot down numbers whilst driving.
- When in heavy traffic rather tell the person you will call back when it is safer.
Distracted walking
A diverse set of circumstances and activities result in pedestrians not allocating appropriate attention to their surroundings.
These distractions include:
- cell phone conversations;
- text messaging;
- listening to music [i-pod];
- looking at something other than the direction of travel;
- conversations with friends;
- eating;
- attempting to find something in a backpack or luggage; or
- being lost in thought.
Always be alert and watch for traffic. Avoid cell phone use while crossing streets. Do not walk and talk on mobile devices in traffic.
Be fully aware of your surroundings – don’t let music take your attention away from the sound of oncoming vehicles, hooting or sirens.
Be especially attentive near level crossings. Do not assume that you have the right of way and that cars will stop for you.
– Source: Arrive Alive.
Visit arrivealive.co.za for online road safety awareness tips.
