Young people (under 25) are involved in proportionally more car crashes than any other age group. Recent findings in brain development indicate that the human brain may not be fully capable of recognising risks, and predicting consequences, until around age 25.

Young adults are still developing cognitive skills

Young people have less well-developed risk-recognition abilities, either due to their early brain development stage and/or a lack of life experience.

• This fact means that young adults are less likely to recognise hazards when driving (as well as at other times)
• This fact means young adults are more likely to engage in behaviours that more experienced persons would recognise as dangerous
• This lack of brain development means young adults are likely to get into hazardous situations, which they did not foresee, and from which they lack the skills to extricate themselves safely
• These facts mean that young adults therefore are more likely to be involved in a car crash when they or other young adults are driving at the time (or injury if engaging in other activities)

BRAKE believes that a properly designed and presented training program which trains the young person to be more aware of hazards and risks and react accordingly should reduce the likelihood of a crash or other serious consequences.