05-14-2016, 07:15 PM
Many years ago now, I worked transport administration for a state government in Australia. The road safety people were constantly searching for ways to reduce the road toll—particularly among young people. I recall there was credible research showing a very high rate of accidents in the first 6 months after people had first obtained their license and were able to drive solo. I don't remember now, but I suspect this was focused on car drivers. At the time it made sense to me as there is a decided difference doing something under close supervision and doing it all by yourself for the first time.
I don't know how you'd prove it, but I suspect there is a distinct possibility of people of people bursting out of rider training over-confident about their abilities and falling off. If, however, the earlier research about a higher number of accidents soon after going solo has substance, that may be as much of a factor as the training. That's speculation on my part.
For my part, like Pterodactyl and others, my on-road training was entirely self directed. My license test was responding to a few questions and then riding around the block while the testing officer stood on the side of the road and watched me. I'm sure I would have benefited from some decent training. I say this because a couple of years ago I won a advanced training session in a raffle on a rally one day and was surprised at how much it taught me.
I don't know how you'd prove it, but I suspect there is a distinct possibility of people of people bursting out of rider training over-confident about their abilities and falling off. If, however, the earlier research about a higher number of accidents soon after going solo has substance, that may be as much of a factor as the training. That's speculation on my part.
For my part, like Pterodactyl and others, my on-road training was entirely self directed. My license test was responding to a few questions and then riding around the block while the testing officer stood on the side of the road and watched me. I'm sure I would have benefited from some decent training. I say this because a couple of years ago I won a advanced training session in a raffle on a rally one day and was surprised at how much it taught me.