Are youths more reckless on the road?
According to data retrieved from Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU), there was a total of 53,976 accidents reported in Malaysia in the first three quarters of 2018.
The public perception that younger motorists are more reckless on the road may carry some weight. According to statistics, motorists from the younger age groups were more likely to be involved in accidents.
Most accident cases involved motorists between the age of 25 and 29 years with 8,369 cases. Meanwhile, there were also a high number of accidents involving age groups of 20 to 24 years and 25 to 29 years with 7,922 and 8,369 cases respectively.
For the older age groups, they are more likely to be involved in accidents while working. In general, the gap between the number of accidents out of working hours (26,301 cases) and accidents during work (27,675 cases) was at 1,374 cases.
But when we categorised the accidents by age, it is noticeable that the gap between both types of accidents were wider for older age groups. The gaps were 737 cases for 40 to 44 years, 933 cases for 45 to 49 years, and 1,090 cases for 50 to 54 years.
On the contrary, the younger age groups were more likely to crash while they were off work. The gaps are 1,418 cases for 20 to 24 years and 1,083 cases for 25 to 29 years. Therefore, the reason of “rushing for work” is not entirely valid.
Besides, motorists below 20 years old were less likely to be involved in accidents as the age group had way lesser number of motorists. According to the law, the minimum age to hold a driving license is at 17 years, and 16 years for motorcycle license.
But not everyone can get their license when they reach the minimum age. It may be due to parents’ restrictions, monetary difficulties and other issues. Besides, not every teenager can be on the road although he/she had acquired his/her license. On the other hand, underage motorists will not report the accidents that they get into as it is not a wise move.
Recently, the government set the definition of ‘youth’ as someone between the ages of 15 and 30 years. According to statistics from MAMPU, motorists between the age of 20 to 29 years have higher risk in getting into accidents. Is it safe to say then that the youths are more reckless on the road?