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In the UK, although you can apply for a provisional driving licence at 15 years and 9 months, your licence doesn’t become valid until your 17th birthday. This age limit aims to minimise road traffic accidents and fatalities by restricting young drivers – widely claimed to be the most dangerous demographic on the road.
Sadly, this is a fact that cannot be disputed. While young drivers between 17 and 24 years make up 5 percent of the total miles driven in the UK every year, they are involved in 20 percent of serious or fatal accidents. Prohibition of the most risky demographics has long been viewed as the best way of keeping accidents to a minimum. Is this the right approach to take, or could driving lessons for the under 17s be a more beneficial way of addressing the issue?
Experiential, Hands-On Learning
While part of the high accident rate amongst young drivers can be attributed to overconfidence and risk-taking behaviours, the statistics also highlight the importance of experience, and emphasise the need for young drivers to have easier access to greater practical experience and training that’s relevant to today’s roads.
The government have started to acknowledge this need by proposing a major shake up to the current UK driving test which aims to remove redundant maneuvers and introduce tasks and challenges that are more relevant to driving today. However, even with these changes, driving skill is something that is undoubtedly developed through experiential learning – through being hands-on.
Does it Really Work?
Sweden have taken a revolutionary approach to young learner driving, lowering the legal age and issuing learner’s permits at 16 years of age – a full two years before Swedes can take their test. This controversial approach to driving was monitored and studied in great detail, and the findings are very interesting.
Studies found that Swedes who started learning to drive at 16 increased their on-the-road experience threefold by the time they took their test, and that 16 year olds were no more likely to be involved in accidents than 18 year olds. Ultimately, it was found that casualties amongst young drivers reduced by 40 percent following the legal changes.
It’s not just Sweden that’s seen the benefits of imposing a lower legal driving age, either. In the Netherlands, young drivers can begin practicing at 16.5 years, and the country holds the record for having the lowest road fatalities of any country in Europe. While it’s unclear if this safety record is directly associated with the legal driving age, it’s important to understand how age can play a significant role in producing safer drivers who are more aware of risk and more aware of their own driving behaviours.
It’s Time to Acknowledge the Benefits
The concept of the driving simulator is something that’s celebrated and praised. There’s a ‘higher chance of passing the driving test the first time’ when practicing on a simulator because of the hands-on experience. If the benefits of experiential learning can be seen in terms of a simulator, they should also be seen with on-the-road training for young adults, and this is something that the government should be acknowledging. Driving lessons for the under 17s can be hugely advantageous, helping to reduce accidents and create safer roads across the county.
