The crash experience of newly licensed young drivers in South Australia

South Australian drivers who obtained their first provisional car licence between July 1998 and June 2001 and who were 16 to 19 years of age at the time of provisional licensure were identified. Their involvement as car drivers in crashes in South Australia that resulted in an injury or total damage of $3,000 or greater was determined for their learner period and the five years after obtaining their first provisional car licence. Driver factors considered were: year of obtaining first provisional licence; sex of driver; age of driver; location of residence; method of licensure; and length of time on learner?s permit. A rapid reduction in the average rate of crash involvement was found, especially in the first year of driving on a provisional licence and particularly for crashes involving drivers leaving the roadway or making right filter turns across traffic.