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Immature brains 'make teenagers bad drivers'
Last updated at 09:52am on 03.05.07Youngsters are more dangerous on the roads because their brains are not sufficiently developed, according to researchers.
They said the frontal lobe of the brain - which controls emotion, risk-taking and decision-making - does not fully mature until the age of 25.
As a result, teenagers are more impulsive, excitable and prone to taking risks and causing accidents.
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Ben (Rupert Grint) and Evie (Julie Walters) in the film Driving Lessons
It also means younger drivers lack the necessary ability to scan the road ahead, anticipate hazards and judge the level of danger they are facing.
The findings reinforce calls for the minimum driving age to be raised from 17 to 18.
The research was carried out by Robert Isler, director of the traffic and road safety research group at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.
He told an international road safety conference that the brains of younger motorists predisposed them to more dangerous driving.
Dr Isler said the lack of brain development was a 'common crash risk factor' in the younger age group.
He said: 'Brain studies have shown that the frontal lobes are not fully developed until young people reach the age of 25 years, the same time when age disappears as a risk factor for crashes, even after driving experience is taken into account.'
He concluded: 'It seems plausible that immature executive functioning (of the brain) may lie behind the poor hazard anticipation and detection skills that seem to characterise many adolescent drivers. But like any other brain function, they can be enhanced with appropriate training.'
Dr Isler said he was carrying out a field study to see whether driver performance can be improved by boosting the role of the frontal lobe.
He has split 36 teenagers into three teams and given each individual a psychological assessment to establish scores for personality, attitude, confidence and risk taking.
The youngsters will then be tested in various skills such as parking, manoeuvring, braking and steering.
A demand to raise the minimum driving age will be made today at the International Conference on Young Driver Safety organised by Brake in Central London.
The road safety charity wants the Government to take action following pressure from the insurance industry, motoring groups and a Daily Mail campaign highlighting the number of accidents caused by young, inexperienced and rogue drivers.
Separate research by Brake and Green Flag, published today, shows that most drivers believe the driving test is inadequate.
A majority also supported a rise in the driving age to 18.
Seven in ten drivers said extra restrictions should be placed on young drivers.
The Association of British Insurers said young drivers have been involved in accidents which have led to 840 deaths or serious injuries over the past six months.
The association has also called for the driving age to be changed.
It says a switch to 18 years could help prevent 1,000 serious or fatal crashes each year.
Four drivers aged 20 or under are hurt or die on the nation's roads every day.
Reader views (1)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Why don't we raise the driving age to 25? Then you totally cut out this issue of under-developed lobes AND you'll shave a few million (and often banged up) cars off the road.
Not only will it be good for the environment but everyone else will be better and more relaxed drivers as a lot of stress will be lifted. We'd all get there a little quicker, public transport would get a boost with the cash and besides, they've got the energy to walk more at that age.
- Jay, London
