Why is driver experience considered critical for improving safety?

Driver experience is considered critical for improving safety primarily because experienced drivers are better at recognizing hazards more rapidly. With more time spent on the road, they have encountered a wider variety of situations and learned how to respond to those situations effectively. This heightened awareness allows them to identify potential dangers—such as pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles—in a timely manner, leading to quicker and more appropriate responses.

This ability to recognize and anticipate hazards is vital for maintaining safety on the road, as it can prevent accidents before they occur. Experienced drivers are also likely to have developed effective strategies for managing their speed and distance from other vehicles, further enhancing their ability to navigate complex traffic scenarios safely.

In contrast, while vehicle quality, age, and driver aggression might play a role in overall driving behavior, they do not directly impact the cognitive skills necessary for hazard recognition as significantly as experience does.