This release was issued under a previous government.

Between 2010 and 2014, 226 young drivers and motorcyclists (aged 14 to 24) were killed and 12,883 were injured in collisions. Although young drivers represented only 14 per cent of the province’s licensed drivers in 2014, they accounted for more than 20 per cent of the drivers involved in casualty collisions.

“Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death and injury for Alberta’s youth. Parents and guardians need to set rules for young drivers, but at the same time, young drivers need to drive safely and take responsibility for their actions on the road.”

Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) is a program designed to improve road safety by creating a low?risk, controlled environment for new drivers, regardless of age. The GDL program ensures that new drivers get the support, skills and experience they need to handle the complex task of driving.

“As the grad season approaches, we hope that students plan ahead for a safe ride home and make responsible choices. Their whole lives are ahead of them.”

Arthur Lee, Provincial Community Liaison, Students against Drunk Driving

“Just because someone has used a cellphone behind the wheel and never had a problem, doesn’t mean the risks weren’t there. The risks are always there and the stakes are very high. The goal of our distracted driving campaigns is to make sure that young people get that – and put down the phone while driving.”

Superintendent Ian Lawson, Officer in Charge of Alberta Traffic Services, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Young Driver Facts

  • Although young drivers represent only a small percentage of the province's licensed drivers, they have the highest casualty collision rates.
  • Crash rates are especially high during the first year of unsupervised driving.
  • Males aged 18 to 21 are statistically more likely to have consumed alcohol prior to a casualty collision than any other age group.
  • One-third of young drivers killed in a collision were not wearing a seatbelt (2010-2014).
  • More than one-half of casualty collisions involving a young driver (aged 14 to 24) occurred in the months of May through October. Fatal collisions involving a young driver occur most often in September (2010-2014).
  • More casualty collisions involving young drivers occurred on Friday than on any other day. In all, over half of the fatal collisions involving young drivers occurred on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (2010-2014).
  • Approximately one-third of casualty collisions involving a young driver occurred during the afternoon rush-hour period between 3 p.m. and 6:59 p.m. Over half of fatal collisions involving a young driver occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (2010-2014).
  • The most common driver errors include following too closely, running off the road, making a left turn across the path of an oncoming vehicle and stop sign violations (2010-2014).