Young drivers biggest threat on Polish roads: study

Among all groups of drivers, people aged 18-24 have the most disrespectful attitude to traffic regulations, shows research commissioned by the Polish Chamber of Insurance (PIU). According to the organization, young drivers pose the greatest threat on Polish roads.

The PIU announcement published on May 19 states that young drivers, on the one hand, have the most disrespectful attitude to traffic regulations, and on the other, they are of the opinion that they already have extensive experience.

According to the study, people aged 18-24 are convinced that driving experience is quickly and easily acquired. Almost three-quarters of respondents in this age group already consider themselves “experienced” drivers. At the same time, they declare that they have had their driving license for three years on average.

Almost 40 percent of the surveyed young drivers consider speeding by 20km/h in built-up areas safe (compared to 33 percent of all respondents). Nearly 60 percent see no danger in exceeding the speed limit by 15km/h. Over 60 percent claim that it is possible to drive quickly and safely at the same time (55 percent of those surveyed expressed this opinion). PIU pointed out that police data shows that 18-24-year-old drivers cause the most accidents (in proportion to their population).

Another feature that distinguishes young drivers is a lack of imagination and selfishness, according to PIU. Over 18 percent of them believe that overtaking another car immediately before the pedestrian crossing “may be justified in exceptional circumstances”. Two-thirds of respondents aged 18-24 believe that pedestrians should be less privileged in traffic than currently, and 65.5 percent of the group claim that driver privileges should be increased.

In PIU’s assessment, the bravado of young drivers means that they are a threat not only to other road users but also to themselves. It was noted that Eurostat data for 2014 shows that in the 15-19 age and 20-24 age categories, traffic accidents are the most common cause of Poles’ deaths, above suicides and other accidents.

The study was carried out from January 20 to February 2 by the SW Research agency using the online interview method (CAWI) on a sample of 1,509 people.

(PAP)