Young drivers steering in safer direction, according to new report
While still posing the greatest risk on the roads, youth are involved in fewer crashes, according to the latest numbers from Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI).
In 2017, there were 936 collisions involving 16-year-olds, compared to 1,323 in 2008 and 1,198 in 2012. Tyler McMurchy, a spokesperson for SGI, told paNOW there is always room to do better.
“We always want to see zero crashes, zero fatalities, zero injuries on the roads, so this is something we do pay attention to,” he said.
Driver inattention (152) was the leading cause behind collisions involving 16-year-olds, followed by driver inexperience (116) and driver distraction (44). The provincial government has introduced a number of measures to address crashes involving young drivers. McMurchy said the graduated licensing program is one example of a successful program that has helped young drivers gain experience on the roads. Novice drivers must progress through several levels, before earning their full license. Restrictions include but are not limited to the times of day they can travel and how many passengers they can have in their vehicle.