Can we use the Cohort II data to explore the effectiveness of Pass Plus?

Newly qualified drivers have a high probability of being involved in a road traffic accident relative to other drivers, and their lack of driving experience is one of the main reasons for their relatively high accident liabilities (e.g. Forsyth et al., 1995; Maycock, 2002; Maycock et al., 1991; Wells and Baughan, 2003). In Great Britain, the Cohort I study represented the first investigation into the new driver problem on a large scale (e.g. Forsyth, 1992a, 1992b; Forsyth et al., 1995; Maycock and Forsyth, 1997). The results of that study provided a valuable input into Government policy on driver training and testing. However, with the passage of time, changes have been made to the training and testing regime, notably the introduction of a separate theory test, as well as changes to the practical test itself. A Cohort II project has therefore been carried out in order to provide up-to-date information about learner and novice drivers that can be used to inform Department for Transport (DfT) policy.