A study of Canadian teenagers has shown that they frequently misjudge the likelihood of being involved in a car crash, believing themselves "invincible". Toronto researchers have suggested that an early intervention programme to warn them of the dangers of personal injury may be a good idea.
"They really do think they're invincible," the lead researcher said. "They really think that because they're young that they could survive anything, that young people don't die in hospitals. It's only old people that die in hospital, even if you're in an accident."
The study examined 260 teens from schools around the country, and collected their car accident beliefs before and after a programme they called ThinkFirst Injury Prevention Strategy for Youth, or TIPSY.
A spokesperson from MADD Canada, however, argued that "You can't just have a program for the teens. You can't just show it to them once.
"There has to be consistent messaging."
UK researchers into car crash beliefs may be keeping an eye on any further developments on this study.
*A replacement vehicle can usually be supplied within 4-6 working hours, where there is an admission of liability from the other person’s insurance company. If this person is not known, their insurance details are not known, they are uninsured or there is a potential dispute over who caused the accident, a replacement vehicle cannot be provided.
