The Influence of Vehicle Characteristics on the Braking Behaviour of Young People as Measured Using Telematics

Road traffic crash outcomes for young drivers are worse compared to more experienced drivers, with crashes accounting for 1 in 5 deaths for people aged 15-24 years in Australia. However, the choice of motor vehicle and how they influence driving behaviour and driving outcomes is relatively unknown for young drivers. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of vehicle characteristics on the driving behaviour of young drivers while also considering demographic characteristics. A sample of 35 young drivers used in-vehicle telematics to record their driving behaviour over one month. The numbers of harsh braking events were recorded for each trip and vehicle characteristics were compared across demographic characteristics. Linear mixed models (LMM) were then used to determine whether vehicle characteristics (vehicle weight, engine power, model year and vehicle safety ratings) had significant relationships with braking behaviour, when the demographic characteristics and trip length were controlled for. The LMM indicated that vehicles with higher engine power and vehicles with a higher safety rating were associated with a lower number of harsh braking events. Vehicle characteristics differed significantly across genders. However, the inclusion of demographic variables in the above braking behaviour models failed to improve their fit. Driving behaviour models using in-vehicle telematics data typically include demographic variables. The results of this study highlight the value of including vehicle characteristic variables in understanding the braking performance of young drivers, suggesting that these variables should be considered in future driving behaviour analyses.