METHODS USED IN LEARNING TO DRIVE AND SUBSEQUENT ACCIDENT FACTORS

Drivers aged between 17 and 20 years, and particularly males in this age group have disproportionately high accident rates per vehicle kilometer driven. While some broad information is available concerning the role played by such factors as alcohol and the amount and type of experience a young driver has had, little information is available concerning the relationship between different methods of learning to drive and accident rates. A major cohort study of some 30,000 L-test candidates was set up in 1988. This paper outlines the methodology of the study and presents some preliminary findings. (TRRL)