Interesting read:
http://www.ors.wa.gov.au/_layouts/getAsset...;RCN=D09#223177
Abstract
Speeding is acknowledged as one of the major risk factors for the involvement of young and novice drivers in
motor vehicle crashes. The use of high performance vehicles by novice drivers is perceived to contribute to both
their risk of speeding and crashing. There is however, no consistent empirical evidence to support this
perception. The primary aim of this study was to assess the relationship between vehicle power to weight ratio
and the risk of involvement in a serious injury crash for drivers in their first two years of licensing. The
univariate findings of 662 crashes and the analysis of 84 case-control pairs provided evidence to suggest that
young novice driver serious injury crashes are not characterised by ‘high’ vehicle power to weight ratios, nor is
vehicle power to weight ratio statistically associated with an increase in the odds of being involved in a serious
injury crash. The report concluded with three recommendations addressing young novice drivers and vehicle
restrictions, sanctions for speeding, and vehicle selection education, and one additional recommendation for the
inclusion of vehicle power output information in the registration details of new vehicles.