The over-representation of young, novice drivers in European fatal road traffic collisions: is there a solution to the problem?

This dissertation starts with the premise that the vulnerability of certain groups of road users, including and particularly the young, continues to be a key problem area for society itself, not simply for the police, or road users. It considers the background context to this subject and whether other countries are experiencing the same issues as the UK with young drivers.

A wide ranging review and evaluation of some of the more authoritative recorded examinations of the problem, including European studies, is provided. The results of comparative research focusing on several European Union (‘EU’) Member States, through personal interviews conducted with police officer representatives, are analysed, after summarising the extent of the problem respectively in what is a fairly diverse selection of countries. In each of the critical areas considered, the corresponding position in the UK is included as a point of reference. Where applicable throughout the study, the focus is refined to look at what is in place in Wales; and, on a more localised level still, the county of Gwent, to reflect the author’s own sphere of experience and interest.

Finally, exploration of remedial measures that have proved to be effective when implemented elsewhere take place before the concluding argument assesses the relative merits of the alternative approaches of the Graduated Driver Licensing (‘GDL’) and Revised Driver Training and Testing systems and the suggested ways forward for the UK.

This examination establishes that the young driver problem in the UK, with its disproportionate level of involvement in road collisions and resulting casualty rate, is mirrored by similar trends across Europe and indeed globally. It observes that, despite consistent experience confirming the effectiveness of GDL systems, there has been little in the way of co-ordinated introduction of such measures by EU Member States. Furthermore, that the European countries that have been the subject of field research in this study have demonstrated a varied and actually rather ad hoc approach to remedial intervention to address the young driver situation.

Nonetheless, aside from the common areas where progress appears to be frustrated, elements of good practice are identified during the comparison to suggest that even countries as generally advanced in road safety terms as the UK could benefit if implemented.

The study concludes that, from the evidence produced, there are clear indications that a determined commitment to surmount the practical difficulties presented by establishing a GDL system in the UK would be likely to be rewarded by significant reductions in crashes involving young drivers, particularly if this was harnessed to improvements to the driver training and testing regime that are already being made.

In addition to the main dissertation, various appendices are available by contacting the author (details below).