An examination of the characteristics of young drivers in Northern Ireland and their involvement in road traffic collisions

Abstract

The aims and objectives of this thesis were to examine the reasons for the high proportion of collisions resulting in death or serious injuries, especially to young drivers on Northern Ireland roads by examining why they suffer more deaths and injuries than their proportion in the population. This was achieved by issuing and analysing a questionnaire based on one previously issued in GB; conducting a Naturalistic Driving experiment with a qualified, approved driving instructor and his pupils to study the use of an audible signal as a means of highlighting hazards; and desk research. Results showed that new drivers in Northern Ireland are not significantly different from those in GB and that an audible signal can be useful in slowing down drivers ahead of a hazard. It was concluded that traffic fatalities have reduced because of the depressed economy but are likely to rise as the economy improves and that the use of a pre-emptive/advanced warning or signal could be one means of enabling young driver road traffic fatalities to remain low, even as the economy improves and more younger drivers start driving on the roads.

Date of Award	Jul 2016
Original language	English
Supervisor	Alan Woodside (Supervisor) & Jonathan Seymour (Supervisor)