A study performed by the Research Group on Ageing (GIE), a group that forms part of the Universitat de Barcelona and that is located at the Parc Científic de Barcelona, shows that 55% of driving schools managers in Catalonia believe that the future point-based driving license is the best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents; while 41% of young people consider driving disqualification to be the best measure. These are examples of some of the data presented in the study "Training the young responsible driver". Headed by the director of the GIE, Ricardo Moragas, and promoted by the Fundació Abertis, this study was presented on 8 July in a series of conferences on road safety and the mobility of young people.

As part of the study, questionnaires were given to the managers of driving schools around Catalonia and to students between the ages of 18 and 30, in addition to specialists on road safety. Furthermore, the authors revised other studies performed by several organizations that provide national and international data. The results of the survey show that 25% of the driving school managers believe that a longer training period is an efficient means by which to reduce the number of traffic accidents while 10% consider that fines would be the best way. Of the young people surveyed, 32% believed that the best way to reduce the number of accidents would be through a point-system driving licence and 13% through fines. The specialists in road safety opined that the establishment of a point-based driving licence will decrease the number of accidents by 15%, although they believed that this new system would be highly efficient during its introduction but would decrease its effectiveness with time.

In this study, the researchers divided the causes of accidents into three categories: the human factor, the vehicle, and the road conditions. However, according to the literature revised, the human factor is critical in 90% of accidents, through behaviour such as inappropriate speed, alcohol consumption, and lack of respect for safety distances and traffic signals. In this regard, the study reports than most accidents are caused by the risk behaviour of young drivers.

Finally, the study also reports that the price battle between schools has led to a reduction in the length of driving lessons, from one hour to 45 minutes. The researchers consider this time insufficient. The survey highlights that driving school managers and students have a high opinion of current driver training. However, the former emphasize the importance of road education in the family setting and an increase in the number of driving classes in order to promote good driving habits.

On the basis of their findings, the research group has drawn up a set of recommendations to promote responsible driving among young people. These include complying with regulations, showing a responsible attitude, driving in a rational manner, as well as exercising prudence and avoiding risk factors such as alcohol and drugs. As prevention measures, the researchers also recommend driving at appropriate speed, acquiring experience and skill, receiving motivating information, developing response capacity to situations and finally, controlling the vehicle.