ROAD CRASH CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG DRIVERS IN SLOVENIA: AN ANALYSIS OF POLICE-REPORTED DATA FROM 2021 TO 2025

Young drivers represent a particularly important group in road safety due to their limited driving experience and specific behavioural characteristics. Understanding the circumstances and factors associated with road crashes involving young drivers is therefore essential for developing effective and targeted road safety measures. This study analyses road crashes caused by young passenger car drivers aged 18–24 in Slovenia during the period 2021–2025. The analysis is based on national police-reported road crash data and examines the temporal, environmental and spatial characteristics of crashes, as well as crash causes, crash types and injury severity. Attention is given to factors related to driving experience and alcohol involvement. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses are used to identify the most common crash patterns and circumstances associated with young drivers. The study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of road crash characteristics among this age group and to identify factors that may contribute to increased crash risk and severity. The findings are expected to support a better understanding of young-driver crash patterns in Slovenia and provide a basis for the development of targeted preventive measures aimed at improving road safety among novice and young drivers.