the issues
| driver behaviour | Evidence Based Position | Strength Of Evidence | Latest Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological distress and crash risk | No protective initiatives are needed to address psychological distress and crash risk | Moderate | Martiniuk et al (2010) |
| Self-Harm and Crash Risk | Parents, road safety groups and health practitioners should consider the potential association between crashes and youth self harm in their guidance and program developments | Developing |
Martiniuk et al, (2009) Lam et al, (2005) |
| Risky driving behaviour | Risky driving significantly increases young driver's crash risk. Strong licensing laws and enforcement are effective and recommended. | Strong | Ivers et al (2009) |
| driver demographics | Evidence Based Position | Strength Of Evidence | Latest Evidence |
| Various demographics | Road safety improvements are not adequately reaching youth aged 17-20 or living in rural or low SES areas – targeted intervention is needed. | Moderate |
Chen et al (2010) Chen et al (2010) |
| Rural drivers | Targeted interventions are needed for rural youth, who have fewer crashes than urban youth, but more severe and more single vehicle crashes. | Moderate |
Chen et al (2009) Stevenson & Palamara (2001) |
| driver distractions | Evidence Based Position | Strength Of Evidence | Latest Evidence |
| Mobile phones | Mobile phone use (including hands-free) significantly impairs driving and increases crashes, therefore, restrictions from use for new drivers is warranted. | Developing |
Caird et al (2008) Foss et al (2009) |
| Driver Education | Evidence Based Position | Strength Of Evidence | Latest Evidence |
| Driver education | Limited evidence of effectiveness, but whole-of-community programs focusing on behavioural strategies are promising. | Developing |
Griffin et al (2004) Senserrick et al (2009) |
| p-plate restrictions | Evidence Based Position | Strength Of Evidence | Latest Evidence |
| High powered vehicles | High-powered vehicle restrictions are not recommended due to lack of research evidence and potential to do harm. | Weak | Palamara & Gavin (2005) |
| Passenger restrictions | Passenger restrictions are effective and should restrict first-year Provisional drivers to one peer passenger at all times, with administrative exceptions. | Strong |
McEvoy et al (2006) Williams et al (2007) |
| Night-time restrictions | Night-time driving restrictions are effective and should apply to first-year Provisional drivers from at least 11pm to 5am, with administrative exceptions. | Strong |
Shope (2007) Williams (2007) |
| Minimum supervised driving hours | A high number of supervised driving hours can be protective of crashes but strong support systems are needed before mandating 100+ hours. | Developing |
Senserrick (2007) Twisk & Stacey (2007) |
| Blood alcohol concentration limits | A zero blood alcohol limit is effective and should apply to all Learner and Provisional drivers. | Strong |
Kufera et al (2006) Shope (2006) |
| young driver laws | Evidence Based Position | Strength Of Evidence | Latest Evidence |
| Different laws for new drivers | Inexperience leads to excessive crash risk by young drivers. Graduated licensing laws by age are highly effective and strongly recommended. | Strong |
Shope (2007) Twisk & Stacey (2007) |
COMING SOON:
- Young driver education
- Ethnicity and crash risk
Strength of Evidence KEY
- Strong: Strong theoretical support and multiple studies including high-quality evaluations
- Moderate: Theoretical and research support, but not high quality studies or not directly comparable to Australian context
- Developing: theoretical support and some research but limited or only one good study
- Weak: few studies of limited research quality
