OTTAWA, Sept. 5, 2003 – The majority of Canadians believe that young drivers pose a road hazard and support greater efforts to ensure their safety, according to a survey by a leading traffic safety research organization.
In a survey of 1200 Canadian drivers, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) found that nearly three quarters (72%) of respondents believe that greater efforts are needed to prepare teens to drive more safely. More than half (52%) believe that the number of deaths from collisions involving young drivers has increased in recent years, with more than a third (36%) saying they “often” or “very often” see reckless driving by young drivers.
These perceptions come in spite of significant efforts in recent years to address issues associated with youth and driving, says TIRF President and CEO Dr. Herb Simpson. While these measures have had a positive impact, he explains, negative perceptions persist. In fact, youth-related road deaths actually decreased by 15% per cent between 1997 and 2001, Dr. Simpson adds.
There are legitimate concerns about youth and driving, Dr. Simpson says, but public investment in effective countermeasures must be based on a sound scientific understanding of the real risks.
“Young drivers have very high crash rates because they lack critical safe driving skills and some are deliberate risk takers,” he says. “We need to understand which skills are most essential and how to control risky driving as the basis for effective policies and regulations. This issue will be particularly pertinent over the next decade, when the number of young drivers is expected to grow by nearly ten per cent.”
Toyota Canada to Fund 3-Year Study
TIRF will be undertaking a three-year comprehensive study of young driver risk factors, thanks to a half-million dollar grant by Toyota Canada Inc. The Toyota-funded research will be used to:
- study the magnitude, characteristics and trends associated with road crashes involving young adults,
- create an inventory of youth-oriented road safety programs,
- research general public and teenager perceptions about youth driving and safety issues,
- exchange data with counterpart organizations outside of Canada, and
- encourage meaningful implementation of graduated licensing measures.
“Toyota’s support of TIRF’s research reflects our longstanding commitment to the communities we operate in, as well as the importance we place on quality and safety,” said Stephen Beatty, Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. “The research will be a significant step forward in understanding the risk factors and encouraging public spending on safety measures that do the most good.”
The research findings are obtained from TIRF’s Road Safety Monitor, an annual public opinion survey that takes the pulse of the nation on key road safety issues. This year’s Road Safety Monitor deals more fully with other road safety issues, but next year’s will probe in detail the issue of youth and road crashes.
Established in 1964, TIRF is a charitable, independent road safety institute devoted to reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries. Headquartered in Ottawa, TIRF performs original research into the causes of road crashes, and develops and promotes effective prevention programs and policies.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian importer and distributor of Toyota cars, trucks, and sports utility vehicles, as well as Lexus luxury vehicles, through a sales and service network of over 260 dealers across Canada. A consistent award winner for product quality and ownership satisfaction, Toyota has sold over two million vehicles in Canada and recently began roll-out of an innovative, customer-friendly, web-based sales process known as Access Toyota. More information about Toyota is available at www.toyota.ca, or through the Toyota Call Centre at 1-888-TOYOTA8.
