Young drivers who borrow the family car are less likely to crash than those driving their own car, new research has found.
The Australian research revealed that young drivers have a 30 per cent greater risk of crashing in their first year if they’re driving their own car, compared to those who borrow the family car.
Interestingly, even seven years after getting their licences, these drivers still had a 10 per cent greater risk of crashing, than those young drivers who are still driving the family car, the study of NSW drivers found.
And those young drivers who had their own car were 2.7 times more likely to be involved in a crash resulting in hospitalisation or death in the first year after getting their licence.
A wake up call for parents
According to the study’s co-author Professor Rebecca Ivers, this sobering research should be a wake up all for parents.
“Don’t buy your kids a car and give them unlimited access to it,” she said.
“The first 12 months after licensing is the most dangerous time for young drivers, and having unlimited access to a car in this period can increase their risk of crash.”
Young drivers who borrow the family car however, are often given a set of rules, which may include restricted access, no-long distance driving, no driving at night and not having more than one passenger in the car.
“In high-income countries like Australia, there’s a culture that says you get your own car, you’re out on the road and you’re free and independent,” said Prof. Ivers.
“Unfortunately at this age, with limited experience on the road, it’s a very dangerous time for young drivers. And then there seems to be something about owning their own car and having greater access that might mean they drive differently than if they were driving the family car.”
Another reason behind the findings could be that cars given to young drivers aren’t as safe as the family car.
“What often happens is that people buy a cheap car for their kid, and so the kid’s driving around in a clapped-out older car with fewer safety features. So the advice here is, let your kids drive your car, let them negotiate the use of it, and make sure they’re driving the safest car that they possibly can.”
The researchers say they’re not suggesting parents block their kids’ access to their own vehicles.
“This is more a caution against thinking a car is a perfect gift when public transport or other safer alternatives are readily available,” Study co-author Professor Teresa Senserrick from the University of Western Australia said.
The study looked at the crash data of more than 20,000 drivers in NSW who consented to having their driving records made available via police and hospitals. The drivers were aged 17 to 24 and on their red P-plates in 2002 and 2003, and were followed up by researchers at two years and 13 years after getting their licences.
Did you get your kids their own car when they started driving, or are you planning on it? Let us know if this study is likely to change your mind in the comments below.
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Frankiielot replied
- 28 Mar 2024 , 10:25 pm
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