Comparison of novice and full-licenced driver common crash types in New South Wales, Australia, 2001‐2011

To examine the circumstances of passenger vehicle crashes for novice licenced drivers aged 17–25 years and to compare the crash circumstances of the most common crash types for novices to a sample of full‐licence drivers aged 40–49 years. A retrospective analysis was conducted of passenger vehicle crashes involving novice and full‐licenced drivers during 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2011 in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. There were 4113 injurious crashes of novice drivers. Almost half the novice driver crashes involved a single vehicle. Vehicle speed (33.2%), fatigue (15.6%) and alcohol (12.6%) were identified risk factors in novice driver crashes. Correspondence analysis for 4 common crash types for novice drivers revealed that the crash characteristics between novice and full‐licenced drivers were similar. Similarities exist between novice driver and full‐licenced driver crash risk for common crash types. Preventive strategies aimed at crash risk reduction for novice drivers may also benefit all drivers.