Passengers with young novice drivers also run a higher risk of being in a serious accident. Research into hazard perception clearly shows that inexperienced drivers are 2 seconds slower recognising possible dangers compared with experienced drivers. In an accident a young male driver is 9 times more likely to be at fault than an older driver with the same length of experience. Young drivers, particularly males, consistently overestimate their own driving ability. Young novices state that their driving is adversely affected by the presence of their peers and improves when accompanied by parents or mature adults.
Young drivers make more journeys at night and have more accidents at that time of day.
Risk taking including fast driving is more common among young drivers. Young drivers, particularly males, consistently over estimate their own driving ability. Naaah, all solid fact from these sources. The Department of Transport. The AA Foundation Report on Young Drivers 1991.