In a new investigation, youth organization Team Alert sounds the alarm because it turns out that young drivers are worse than they themselves want to admit.
A new investigation by the Dutch youth organization Team Alert sounds the alarm about the tendency of young drivers to overestimate their own abilities behind the wheel.
The investigation, which focuses on car crashes and illegals, claims to reveal a worrying lack of respect and understanding of risk among the youngest drivers.
Team Alert, an organization dedicated to road safety since 2000, seems to be able to see how young people are 'increasingly seeking out car crashes' for the thrill.
"Young people increasingly seek the thrill of car rallies and illegal street races to test their cars and choral skills," writes Team Alert.
The organization believes that social media is used to promote these fights, which often turn into illegal street races.
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The survey shows that negative media coverage of street lobs paradoxically increases young people's interest. "A NOS facility in connection with an illegal street race was met with loud applause and enthusiasm. A 13-year-old boy […] even replied: "Oh great, I want to go there too!"', writes Team Alert in the investigation.
The survey confirms the widespread belief that young people tend to overestimate their abilities behind the wheel.
Young people consider themselves to be extremely competent drivers," writes Team Alert, which elaborates: "This indicates that the young drivers think they will be better in traffic when they screw up their own cars'
Furthermore, the survey shows that young people often downplay the sometimes fatal consequences of the illegal street races.
– The young people denigrate the fatal accidents that the illegal street races bring with them. The young people often see these accidents as incidents that are the fault of the individual and not the illegal race itself. This shows a worrying lack of awareness of risk.”
– There is a clear gap between the way young people experience their car hobby and their ability to understand road safety. Young people see illegal street racing as an extension of their passion for cars and seeking out danger and adrenaline, says researcher Gaby Dijkstra.
Team Alert suggests integrating road safety information into car shows to raise awareness of risks. However, the organization does not offer any suggestions as to how this can possibly be done.
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