the driver's handbook

3. Passengers
Young driver crash risk increases when they carry similar
age passengers. This is likely to be due to distractions
caused by the passengers, as well as peer pressure on the
driver to take greater or more risks. Male passengers aged
16 to 24 in South Australia tend to have the highest death
rates and both male and female passengers in this age
group tend to have the highest serious injury rates of all road
user age groups.
4. Late night driving
Many crashes that lead to the death of young drivers occur
late at night, particularly on weekend nights and when
carrying more than one passenger. This is likely to be due
to inexperience in night driving as well as fatigue and risk
taking. Provisional licence holders in South Australia are over
represented in late night crashes.
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Take charge of building your driving skills and
experience:
• As a learner driver, get as much supervised driving
practice as possible. Learner drivers who have around
120 hours of supervised practice have been shown to
have substantial crash reductions – up to 35%.
• Learn to drive defensively – defensive driving involves
learning to anticipate trouble before it happens. The
competency based (log book) scheme for obtaining a
driver’s licence uses a defensive driving approach, as do
many driving instructors. Defensive driving courses will
improve all aspects of your driving.
• Try to avoid carrying more than one passenger (especially
of a similar age to the driver). If more than one young
person needs to travel in your vehicle, ask a more
experienced or fully licensed driver to drive the group.
• Gain supervised experience in night driving. Night driving
requires more skills and concentration, so it is smart to
practise night driving often. Even if you are a
provisional licence holder, have a more experienced
driver travel with you.
The Driver’s Handbook 9