Improving road safety in general will help to improve the safety of young drivers, but there is a need for additional measures specifically targeted at young drivers. Young people aged 15–24 are overrepresented in traffic accidents in Finland, which is also in accordance with the rest of Europe. Thus, we need to influence policy makers to apply the scientific findings on how to actively increase road safety among young drivers.
Improving Road Safety for Young Drivers –webinar was held on the 7th March 2023 and was organized by NVF (The Nordic Road Association), Finnish Road Safety team and several other partners. Road safety engineer Jaakko Klang from NVF answered some questions about the webinar. Check out the programme
Based on the webinar, how would you describe the challenges at European level in promoting road safety specifically for young people?
Over the last three years, men accounted for an average of 81% of all road fatalities among young people aged 15-30. There are still large differences between male and female road fatality rates, given that men drive more than women. Although young drivers are a risk group in their own right, most young people do not intentionally drive unsafely. The risks associated with young drivers are due to inexperience, immaturity and lifestyle factors related to age and gender.
Countries such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark, where road safety is currently at a very high level, also have a better safety record for young people and safer young drivers. In general, in these countries the road transport system is implemented according to the Safe Systems approach and the traffic system allows drivers to make errors without causing death or serious injury, e.g. roundabouts, physical separation of opposing driving directions, separation of different modes of transport, central lanes, safety structures, speed limits tailored to human endurance, etc.
For reasons of cost, many young people drive smaller and older cars without the latest safety technology.
The risk of a young driver being involved in an accident is at its highest immediately after obtaining a driving license, when a young person is driving independently for the first time. Statistics have shown that the younger a person starts unrestricted autonomous driving, the higher the risk of a fatal road accident, with a particularly high risk for 17-year-olds. Therefore, the minimum age for obtaining a driving license is of great importance for road safety.
Several studies were able to show that a graduated licensing system with several stages reduces the number of road accidents among young drivers and therefore has a better safety impact.
Young male drivers are over-represented in road fatalities and accidents usually involve driving while intoxicated, i.e. under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Proactive intervention and giving help to young people with addiction has been successful in preventing drink-driving accidents.
The use of mobile phones and other technologies while driving is a growing problem and risk factor on the roads. For many young drivers, the use of electronic devices has become an integral part of life and usually continues while driving. Compared to older drivers, young people are more likely to use their phones, text, listen to music, eat or drink while driving, cycling or walking.
Data from several EU countries show that non-use of seat belts in fatal road accidents is more common among young drivers than older drivers and passengers. There is also much room for improvement in the use of cycle helmets in many European countries.
What other thoughts did the webinar raise?
A lot, i.e., the road safety problems of young drivers can be addressed if only policy makers are willing and committed to preventing road fatalities. The best countries' approaches can be applied to Finland. It will take decisions, resources, and legislative changes to achieve significant positive results in road safety for young people. The principle of education also applies to young drivers. The role models of parents and their influence on young people's life play a very important role in promoting their safety-conscious behaviour on the road.
The situation in Finland is particularly worrying. How can we better influence policy makers in the future?
Decision-makers should believe in the facts as demonstrated by scientific research. It is naive to think that the negative consequences of decisions taken elsewhere will not happen in Finland. Decision-makers should react quickly when problems arise. Norway was able to draft a new legislation on electric scooters in six months in 2021. Finland is now showing some signs of reaction to the e-scooter problem.
What is the relevance of such joint webinars?
I think from the point of view of sharing and using knowledge. The webinar provided the latest research, and the audience could ask more detailed questions from the best experts in the field. It was also useful to compare problems and solutions in your own country with those in other countries and to get ideas and best practices on how to solve problems.
Will this webinar be continued? If so, will the date be the same and what is the theme?
I hope and believe it will. The timing was obviously appropriate, as 246 experts from 38 countries around the globe had registered for the webinar. The themes will focus on road safety problems in Finland to promote the vision of zero road safety in our country and practical actions for everyday road safety work.
Read more about Finland’s current situation Young drivers - Liikenneturva
Article written by Tuula Taskinen from Liikenneturva, National Relay of Finland
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