Modal shift amongst young adults and the potential safety benefits: a synthesis of evidence

Young adults in Australia are driving less now than young adults did twenty years ago. Victoria and New South Wales, (as opposed to other states), have shown the fastest changes, with the percentage of young adults with a driving license declining around 1% per year. This trend indicates a possible modal shift frompassenger car to other alternative modes, including public transport and other active transports amongst young adults. Again, young drivers in Australia are one of the most vulnerable groups when it comes to safety. Around 25% of the drivers who lost their lives in road collisions in Victoria, Australia over the past 10 years, belong to the 18-25 age group. This paper discusses potential safety benefits as a result of this modal shift amongst young adults. Also, the paper proposes that an enhanced understanding of a young adult’s decision-making process when choosing a travel mode is required, to ensure the vision of ‘Towards Zero’ is achieved.