Drivers in their 20s more likely to drink, speed, crash than those in their teens

MELBOURNE - Experienced drivers need to be targeted as much as their inexperienced counterparts when it comes to road safety, a new study suggests.

The suggestion comes after the Australian Institute of Family Studies examined the driving habits of young people aged between 19 and 24 and found disturbing results.

The study showed that three out of five of the drivers had been involved in a crash since getting their licence and more than 80 per cent admitted to speeding.tudy author Suzanne Vassallo said the study was conducted because of the lack of information about the behaviour of drivers in their 20s.

“Most work has focussed on the early driving years which is important, because they are three to four times more likely to be involved in a crash than other drivers,” the Courier Mail quoted her as saying.

“A lot less attention has been given to how they drive once they have experience on the roads,” she added.

Vassallo said that the most disturbing was the rise in drink-driving levels - up from 14 per cent among 19 and 20-year-olds to 23 per cent for 23 and 24-year-olds.

The study also showed that drivers who engaged in drink-driving were more likely to take others risks on the roads - such as speeding, driving under the influence of illegal drugs and driving without a seatbelt. (ANI)