Young drivers: accident figures
The road safety figures are unambiguous: young drivers who obtained their license less than two years ago represent 21% of road fatalities and 43% of injury accidents. Among the fatal accidents, 59% of the victims were between 18 and 24 years old. Lack of experience, youth, risky behavior, zoom on these figures with Matmut.
Dramatic figures for 18-24 year olds
In France, 18-24 year olds represent 8% of the population. But in France, 18-24 year olds mainly represent 16% of road deaths. Every week, 11 people between the ages of 18 and 24 die in a road accident. In 2016, there were 5,000 young people hospitalized in the territory following a traffic accident. Alcohol, excessive speed, consumption of narcotics, fatigue and use of the telephone while driving are the main causes of death among novice drivers.
Read also: Young people and the B license
Speed, the main accident factor among young drivers
More than a third of young drivers (39%) admit exceeding the speed limit, compared to 27% for all drivers. As a reminder, a shock at 50 km/h, which is nevertheless a moderate speed corresponding to urban traffic, is equivalent to a fall of three floors. At this same speed, the stopping distance is 28 meters. Speed results in:
reduce the field of vision
increase the risk of losing control of the vehicle
expose the driver to more fatigue and loss of vigilance
A third of fatal accidents are due to excessive or inappropriate speed. It is for this reason in particular that during the first three years after obtaining a driving licence, young drivers are limited to 110 km/h instead of 130 km/h on the motorways, 100 km/h instead 110 km/h on dual carriageways and 80 km/h on the highway. A period reduced to two years for novice drivers who have benefited from accompanied driving.
Read also: Speed limit at 80 km / h on certain roads: why was it put in place?
Alcohol and narcotics
Road accidents are the leading cause of death and disability among 18-24 year olds in France. In one in four fatal accidents, excessive blood alcohol is the cause. 20% of young drivers admit having already taken the wheel after having smoked cannabis or with a blood alcohol level above the maximum threshold of 0.5 g/litre of blood, or 0.2 g/litre of blood for young drivers with a probationary licence. A novice driver is 4 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. Even at low doses, alcohol and narcotics have consequences on the abilities of drivers:
decreased reflexes and increased reaction time
narrowing of the field of vision
impaired coordination of movements
Read also: Legislation on drink-driving: authorized limits and penalties incurred
Phone while driving = accident
The finding is alarming: 38% of 18-25 year olds admit to texting while driving. However, the risk of having an accident is multiplied by 23 if you write an SMS while driving. The risk is multiplied by 3 during a telephone conversation. Telephoning while driving, even with the use of both hands, distracts the driver's attention
Read also: Telephone while driving: what risks and what penalties?
Fatigue, another accident-prone factor
Among 18-24 year olds, 56% of fatal accidents occur at night. For drivers over the age of 24, the figure is much lower at 36%. Fatigue and drowsiness are dangers that should not be taken lightly when driving. However, this feeling of fatigue is often underestimated. When you feel your eyes tingle, your back hurts, your gaze freezes on the road, or your neck is stiff, it's time to take a break to rest.
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