Young Drivers 2017

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Additional information

Enquires relating to crash statistics may be directed to the Ministry of Transport, PO Box 3175,

Wellington, or by email on info@transport.govt.nz. For more information about road safety, visit the

Ministry of Transport website at www.transport.govt.nz.

A selection of fact sheets is available via the research section of the Ministry of Transport website.

These include:

Crash fact sheets Alcohol and drugs

Cyclists

Diverted attention

Fatigue

Motorcyclists

Overseas drivers

Pedestrians

Speed

Trucks

Young drivers

Travel survey fact sheets Comparing travel modes

Cycling

Driver travel

Motorcycling

Public transport

Risk on the road

Introduction and mode comparison

Drivers and their passengers

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists

Walking

Contents

Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Key facts ............................................................................................................................................... 4

Risk ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

Time series ........................................................................................................................................... 7

Vehicle type for young drivers involved in fatal crashes ....................................................................... 9

Who dies in crashes with young drivers? ........................................................................................... 10

When do young driver crashes occur? ............................................................................................... 10

Who was at fault? ............................................................................................................................... 11

Crash factors ...................................................................................................................................... 11

Types of crash .................................................................................................................................... 13

Licence status of young drivers in fatal crashes ................................................................................. 14

Terminology ........................................................................................................................................ 15

3

Key facts

In 2016 young drivers aged 15–24 were involved in 86 fatal traffic crashes, 665 serious injury crashes

and 2,653 minor injury crashes. Of these crashes, the 15–24 year-old drivers had the primary

responsibility1 in 67 of the fatal crashes, 510 of the serious injury crashes and 2,033 of the minor injury

crashes. These crashes resulted in 76 deaths, 627 serious injuries and 2,740 minor injuries.2

The total social cost of the crashes in which 15–24 year-old drivers had the primary responsibility was

$1.001 billion. This is 25 percent of the social cost associated with all injury crashes.

Risk

Figure 1 (from the New Zealand Household Travel Survey3) shows that male drivers in the 15–19 year

age group are approximately eight times more likely to crash (per 100 million kilometres driven) than

male drivers in the lowest risk age group of 55–59 years. Female drivers aged 15–19 are about six

times more likely to crash (per 100 million kilometres driven) than female drivers in the lowest risk

group of 45–49 year olds. Drivers in the 20–24 year old age group are approximately three to four

times more likely to crash than the lowest risk group of the same gender.

1 The determination of primary responsibility for a crash is based on the crash movements and crash cause

factors assigned in the Crash Analysis System. It is not based on legal liability or court conviction.

Fault/responsibility here only considers driver and rider factors contributing to the crash. There may also be road

or system factors that contributed to the crash.

2 Definitions for fatal, serious and minor injuries and social cost are given in Terminology at the end of the fact

sheet.

3 www.transport.govt.nz/research/TravelSurvey/

4

Figure 1: Number of drivers involved in fatal or injury crashes per 100 million km

driven (bars) and per 10,000 licence holders (lines), by age and gender (2009–2014)

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Age group (years)

Female Male

Female Male

As the graphs below illustrate, young drivers tend to be over-represented in all types of crash. Recent

figures show that 15–19 year-old drivers make up just 4.6 percent of all licensed car drivers4. Yet,

between 2014 and 2016, 15–19 year-old drivers accounted for 9 percent of all drivers involved in

minor injury crashes, 10 percent of drivers in serious injury crashes, and 7 percent of drivers involved

in fatal crashes (Figure 2).

Similarly, 20–24 year-old drivers make up 8.6 percent of licensed car drivers but, between 2014 and

2016, they accounted for 15 percent of drivers involved in minor injury crashes, 14 percent of drivers in

serious injury crashes, and 12 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes (Figure 2).

Of all young drivers (15–24 years old) involved in fatal crashes between 2014 and 2016, 80 percent

were male. Males accounted for 70 percent of young drivers involved in serious injury crashes and 62

percent of those involved in minor injury crashes over the same period.

4 The car licence population consists of drivers with full, restricted or learner car licences. (Motor Vehicle

Crashes in New Zealand, 2016)

5

Figure 2: Young drivers as a proportion of all crash involved drivers (2014–2016)

A high proportion (over 75 percent) of fatal crashes involving young drivers (15–24 years old) occur on

the open road (speed limits over 70km/h). This is due to the typically high speeds on these roads,

which results in a higher impact speed if a crash occurs.

Figure 3: Percentage of all fatal crashes that involve young drivers (2014–2016)

Note: This graph includes drivers of all types of motorised vehicle, including motorcycles.

Twenty-eight percent of all fatal crashes involve a driver between the ages of 15 and 24 (Figure 3).

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Time series

Table 1: Drivers involved in fatal and injury crashes

15–19 year old drivers 20–24 year old drivers Fatal Injury Fatal Injury

Year Number % of all drivers in fatal

crashes

Number % of all drivers in injury crashes

Number % of all drivers in fatal

crashes

Number % of all drivers in injury crashes

1990 128 13.8% 3,157 16.6% 207 22.3% 3,641 19.2%

1991 115 13.9% 2,947 16.2% 174 21.1% 3,382 18.5%

1992 97 12.0% 2,667 15.3% 160 19.8% 3,381 19.3%

1993 95 12.5% 2,501 15.1% 143 18.8% 3,010 18.2%

1994 76 10.3% 2,786 15.4% 135 18.3% 3,287 18.2%

1995 86 11.0% 2,768 14.9% 130 16.6% 3,466 18.6%

1996 94 14.0% 2,302 14.5% 100 14.9% 2,693 17.0%

1997 81 11.3% 2,149 14.9% 95 13.3% 2,229 15.5%

1998 75 10.9% 1,922 14.5% 105 15.2% 1,979 15.0%

1999 74 10.6% 1,776 13.8% 99 14.2% 1,767 13.8%

2000 60 10.0% 1,541 13.4% 73 12.2% 1,669 14.5%

2001 68 11.4% 1,814 13.8% 75 12.6% 1,814 13.8%

2002 50 9.1% 2,299 14.8% 64 11.6% 2,095 13.5%

2003 77 12.4% 2,301 14.2% 75 12.1% 2,316 14.2%

2004 81 13.8% 2,345 14.7% 71 12.1% 2,209 13.9%

2005 84 15.7% 2,490 14.9% 70 13.1% 2,372 14.2%

2006 64 11.7% 2,630 15.2% 65 11.9% 2,468 14.3%

2007 65 11.6% 2,837 15.2% 74 13.2% 2,630 14.1%

2008 67 14.2% 2,549 14.2% 70 14.8% 2,535 14.2%

2009 59 11.6% 2,366 13.9% 66 13.0% 2,487 14.6%

2010 61 12.1% 2,091 12.8% 68 13.5% 2,370 14.5%

2011 32 8.3% 1,574 10.6% 54 14.0% 2,136 14.4%

2012 23 5.7% 1,358 9.5% 53 13.2% 2,092 14.6%

2013 29 7.8% 1,273 9.0% 47 12.6% 2,079 14.6%

2014 23 5.8% 1,135 8.6% 41 10.4% 1,933 14.6%

2015 36 8.1% 1,360 9.1% 58 13.1% 2,140 14.3%

2016 37 8.0% 1,456 9.7% 56 12.1% 2,129 14.2%

Note: This table includes drivers of all types of motorised vehicle, including motorcycles.

In August 2011 the age for obtaining a driver licence increased from 15 to 16.

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Table 2: Vehicle type and gender of young drivers involved in fatal crashes

15–19 year-old drivers 20–24 year-old drivers Car/van Motorcycle Car/van Motorcycle

Year Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total

2000 38 17 55 3 0 3 55 11 66 4 0 4

2001 50 11 61 7 0 7 57 11 68 5 0 5

2002 32 12 44 5 0 5 41 16 57 3 0 3

2003 58 14 72 3 0 3 52 18 70 2 0 2

2004 58 18 76 3 1 4 45 16 61 5 0 5

2005 56 17 73 8 0 8 48 12 60 2 0 2

2006 39 20 59 3 0 3 38 18 56 6 0 6

2007 40 21 61 4 0 4 45 18 63 6 0 6

2008 42 15 57 7 0 7 44 14 58 5 4 9

2009 39 16 55 3 0 3 40 19 59 3 0 3

2010 44 12 56 3 0 3 36 21 57 9 0 9

2011 27 5 32 0 0 0 38 10 48 4 0 4

2012 17 4 21 1 0 1 34 11 45 5 0 5

2013 22 5 27 1 0 1 25 13 38 7 0 7

2014 16 5 21 2 0 2 25 8 33 5 0 5

2015 26 5 31 3 1 4 39 11 50 7 0 7

2016 24 11 35 0 1 1 37 7 44 7 0 7

Note: In August 2011 the age for obtaining a driver licence increased from 15 to 16.

8

Vehicle type for young drivers involved in fatal crashes

Figure 4: 15-19 year old drivers involved in fatal crashes by vehicle type (1985–2016)

Note: In August 2011 the age for obtaining a driver licence increased from 15 to 16.

Since 1985 there has been an 71 percent reduction in the number of 15–19 year old car drivers

involved in fatal crashes, and a 97 percent reduction in the number of motorcycle riders in the same

age group.

Figure 5: 20-24 year old drivers involved in fatal crashes by vehicle type (1985–2016)

Since 1985 there has been a 69 percent reduction in the number of 20–24 year old car drivers

involved in fatal crashes, and an 85 percent reduction in the number of motorcycle riders in the same

age group involved in fatal crashes.

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Who dies in crashes with young drivers?

People in the 15–24 year old age group are most likely to die in fatal crashes in which young drivers of

a similar age have the primary responsibility. Between 2014 and 2016, 68 percent of the passengers

who died in vehicles driven by young at-fault drivers were in the 15–24 year old age group.

Table 3: Deaths in crashes where 15-24 year old drivers were at fault (2014–2016)

Age At-fault drivers At-fault drivers’ passengers Other road users 0–14 0 7 0 15–19 47 23 0 20–24 71 20 3 25–29 0 5 3 30–34 0 0 2 35–39 0 1 1 40–44 0 0 3 45–49 0 1 4 50–54 0 0 5 55–59 0 1 2 60+ 0 0 10

Unknown 0 5 0 Total 118 63 33

Note: The table includes drivers of all types of motorised vehicle, including motorcycles.

When do young driver crashes occur?

Table 4: Fatal crashes involving 15-24 year old drivers by time of day and day of week

(2014–2016)

Day (0600–1759) Evening (1800–2159) Night (2200–0559) Day Fatal crashes

involving young drivers

% all fatal crashes

Fatal crashes involving

young drivers

% all fatal crashes

Fatal crashes involving

young drivers

% all fatal crashes

Monday 15 19% 1 8% 5 36%

Tuesday 17 23% 4 36% 2 17%

Wednesday 13 19% 9 45% 11 42%

Thursday 16 20% 7 33% 10 40%

Friday 16 24% 16 42% 19 46%

Saturday 17 26% 9 45% 22 39%

Sunday 14 20% 5 31% 10 50%

Total 108 21% 51 37% 79 41%

Note: On the day shown, ‘night’ begins at 2200 and finishes the following day at 0559.

Percentages are the percentage of all fatal crashes in that time period that involve a young driver.

10

Young drivers tend to be disproportionately represented in fatal crashes at night. For example,

between 2014 and 2016, 41 percent of night-time crashes involved a young driver, whereas only 21

percent of daytime fatal crashes involved a young driver.

Who was at fault?

Figure 6: Young driver fault in crashes (2012–2016)

A young driver has the primary responsibility5 for about three-quarters (74%) of all the crashes

involving young drivers. A young driver has the primary responsibility for about two-thirds (65%) of the

crashes that also involve other road users.

Crash factors

Alcohol/drugs, losing control and speed are the major contributing factors for young drivers involved in

fatal crashes. About half (49%) the young drivers involved in fatal crashes had alcohol/drugs and/or

speed identified as factors contributing to the crash. Young drivers are over twice as likely to have

speed or alcohol as a factor than drivers over the age of 25.

5 Primary responsibility (fault) for a crash is based on the crash movements and crash cause factors assigned in

the Crash Analysis System. It is not based on legal liability or court conviction. Fault/responsibility here only

considers driver and rider factors contributing to the crash. There may also be road or system factors that

contributed to the crash.

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Figure 7: Young driver alcohol/drugs and speed involvement in fatal crashes (2012–

2016)

Alcohol/drugs, 14%

Alcohol/drugs and Speed,

21%

Speed, 14%

Neither, 51%

Figure 8: Driver contribution to fatal crashes by age group (2012–2016)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40%

Lost control

Too fast for conditions

Alcohol

Failed to keep lef t

Driver tired or fell asleep

Inexperience

Inattention or attention diverted

Too far lef t

Failed to give way

Racing/showing of f

Did not see other party

Overtaking

Suddenly braked or turned

Illness/Disability

Forbidden movement

Percentage of drivers

15–24 year olds 25 + years old

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Types of crash

Crashes which involve drivers losing control of their vehicles (see lost control/off road on the graph

below) are a major feature in crashes involving young drivers. Thirty-nine percent of 15–24 year-old

drivers involved in fatal crashes were in single-vehicle loss of control or run off road crashes,

compared with 20 percent for older drivers. In addition, many of the head-on crashes also involve

drivers losing control of their vehicles.

Figure 9: Percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes by crash movement (2014–

2016)

13

Licence status of young drivers in fatal crashes

The following graphs show the licence status of 15–24 year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes.

Restricted and learner licence holders make up a large proportion of these drivers; 48 percent for 15–

19 year olds and 32 percent for 20–24 year olds. A similar pattern occurs for 15–24 year-old drivers

involved in injury crashes. This reflects the high number of learner and restricted licence holders in this

age group.

Figure 10: Licence status of 15-19 year old drivers involved in fatal crashes (2014–

2016)

Note: Unknown/other includes drivers with an expired, unknown or incorrect licence class.

Figure 11: Licence status of 20-24 year old drivers involved in fatal crashes (2014–

2016)

Note: Unknown/other includes drivers with an expired, unknown or incorrect licence class.

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Terminology

Fatal injuries: injuries that result in death within 30 days of the crash.

Serious injuries: fractures, concussions, internal injuries, crushings, severe cuts and lacerations,

several general shock necessitating medical treatment and any other injury involving removal to and

detention in hospital.

Minor injuries: injuries of a minor nature such as sprains and bruises.

Social cost: a measure of the total cost of road crashes to the nation. It includes: loss of life and life

quality; loss of productivity; and medical, legal, court, and property damage costs.

Crash fault/responsibility: Primary responsibility (at-fault) for a crash is based on the crash

movements and crash cause factors assigned in the Crash Analysis System. It is not based on legal

liability or court conviction. Fault/responsibility here only considers driver and rider factors contributing

to the crash. There may also be road or system factors that contributed to the crash.

15