Alarming research shows young drivers most likely to speed

Published date: 26 May 2025

New Transport Accident Commission (TAC) research shows that young Victorian drivers’ acceptance of speeding is double that of all other drivers.

The TAC’s latest Community Engagement and Social Acceptability Research (CESAR) survey found that 1 in 3 of young Victorian drivers (those aged between 21-25) say they routinely speed 5km/h or more over the limit - more than double the state-wide average of all drivers.

The CESAR survey of 1,892 licence holders is conducted biennially by the TAC and explores key road safety issues and the social acceptability of dangerous driving behaviours in Victoria.

The survey results are alarming given that speeding is the biggest contributing factor to road trauma in Victoria. Speeding is found to be a major factor in around 30% of deaths on Victoria’s roads in the past five years, and almost 80% of speeding-related casualty crashes involve drivers travelling between 1-9 km/h over the speed limit.

TAC CEO, Tracey Slatter said young drivers’ growing complacency towards speeding in Victoria was concerning.

“Speeding, even at a low level, is dangerous - it increases both the likelihood of crashing and the severity of the crash outcome.

“Young drivers are by definition less experienced, so taking risks with speeding can have tragic consequences,” she said.

Drivers report to us that they usually speed because they are running late and want to make up time. Simple actions such as; planning your journey ahead of time, ensuring you leave on time and allowing plenty of driving time can help you stick within the limit.

Other actions such as setting cruise control and staying alert to changing speed zones, particularly in residential streets and built-up areas, can also contribute to safer driving behaviours on our roads.

“We’re calling on all Victorians to slow down and drive to the conditions,” said Ms Slatter.

Other CESAR survey findings include:

Drink driving behaviours have gradually but consistently declined – 38% of Victorians would not consider driving after consuming any alcohol.

Victorians have become significantly more wary of self-driving cars. Only a quarter (26%) of Victorians would feel safe sharing the road with self-driving cars, down from a third (34%) in 2022.

Two thirds (62%) of Victorians support Passive Alcohol Sensor (PAS) technology being introduced as a standard vehicle safety feature.