Teen driving not viewed as problem: poll

Although road accidents are the leading cause of death amongst young adults, a new poll is finding a surprisingly lack of concern about young driver safety.
The poll, released by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) in Ottawa, finds that less than one-quarter of the 1,200 Canadian drivers surveyed believe young drivers are a serious problem on the roads. The main concerns expressed about young drivers relate to the use of alcohol and drugs, cited as a serious issue by 84% of those polled. This is disproportionate to the actual causes of young driver collisions, which occur for a variety of reasons, including inexperience.
“The public’s belief that impairment is the most serious safety issue for young drivers contrasts with its complacency towards other serious threats posed by inexperience and risky driving,” says Dr. Doug Beirness, vice president of research for the TIRF. “Parents should be as concerned about these dangers as they are about alcohol or drug use. We must learn how to diminish risk-taking and equip young drivers with the skills that will mitigate their lack of experience.”
He explains that while young drivers make up just 13% of all drivers, they account for 25% of all driver deaths and injuries. Of the young drivers (age 16-19) polled in the survey, 38% admit to engaging in risky driving behavior, while 93% say they speed.
Support was shown for mandatory driver education (84%), as well as mandatory one-year learner’s permits (62%). Support for measures to reduce young driver accidents rises with the age of respondents.