Fast Facts

Young people and crashes

• Young drivers aged 17 to 25 years are at a higher risk of crashing than drivers of older age groups for lots of reasons including inexperience, attitudes to driving and risk taking behaviour.

• Since the NSW Compulsory Third Party insurance scheme was established in July 1989 young people have accounted for almost one quarter of the total cost of claims to the scheme. ($2.2 billion)

• Research shows that young people are a vulnerable group of road users due to a combination of attitudinal, behavioural, cultural and social factors.

• Other factors such as carrying passengers, unlicensed driving, drinking alcohol and the driving location (ie rural/metropolitan areas) are also associated with higher crash risk.

• Amount of driving experience also influences the risk of crashing: A young driver's crash risk is higher within the first 12 to 24 months of obtaining a license, when their driving skills are not yet fully developed.

• The number of persons killed per 100,000 population was 6.3. This is the lowest since records were first compiled in 1908.

• There were 45,395 recorded road crashes in New South Wales during 2007. Of these, 20,319 were casualty crashes. There were 435 persons killed and 25,845 injured.

• The estimated cost to the community of these road crashes was $4,410 million.

• The number of persons killed was down by 61 (12%) on the previous year and was the lowest annual fatality total since 1945.

• The number of persons injured in 2007 was up by 406 (2%) on the previous year.

• The number of pedestrians killed was the lowest since records began in 1928.

• The number of passengers killed was the lowest since records began in 1939.

• Country roads accounted for 32% of all crashes and 67% of fatal crashes.

• At least 16% of motor vehicle occupants killed were not wearing available seat belts.

• Four of the fourteen pedal cyclists killed and at least 17% of those injured failed to wear a helmet.

• 35% of the pedestrians killed were aged 60 or more, although only 19% of the population is represented by people of this age.

• Amongst crashes in which alcohol involvement was known, alcohol was a contributing factor in 54% of fatal crashes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, 25% of all fatal crashes, 8% of injury crashes and 6% of all crashes.

• At least 6% of all motor vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders who were killed or injured had an illegal blood alcohol concentration. 47% of these casualties were in the high range (0.15 g/100mL or more).

• Crashes which involved speeding represented at least 32% of fatal crashes and 16% of all crashes.

• 20% of all drivers and motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were young persons aged 17-25, but this age group accounted for only 15% per cent of licence holders.

• More than a quarter of all speeding drivers and motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were males aged 17-25. In contrast, only 4% of speeding drivers and motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were females in that age group.

• Fatigue was assessed as being involved in at least 20% of fatal crashes. 31% of the fatigued drivers and motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were males aged 40 years or more.

Check out the Fast Facts on:

• Speeding
• Alcohol
• Seat belts
• Driver fatigue