Young officers drive faster, but older officers crash less: Results of a police pursuit driving course

Police officers are often required to drive at high speeds. These high speed events have led to fatalities. The aim of this research was to investigate whether officers were more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident when driving at high speeds, and whether age or experience contributed to an increased risk of accident. Retrospective data for 43 incumbent police officers, stratified into two different age groups (20–39 and 40–59 years), were analysed following completion of a driving program practical test completed as fast as possible withes minimal marker cone disruptions as possible. The 20–39 year group completed the test significantly faster, but with more violations,than the 40–59 year group. Younger officers may have a lower hazard perception, a tendency to fixate on fewer or on more stationary objects, a lowered perception of risk, and an over-estimation of driving abilities.