Graduated Driver Licensing: Is it effective

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Graduated Driver Licensing Is it effective?
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What Is Graduated Licensing?

• Graduated Licensing is a system designed to
  phase in young beginning drivers to full
  driving privileges as they mature and develop
  their driving skills. (Insurance Institute for
  Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic
  Safety Administration)

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Why Target Youth?
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Fatality Involvement Rate Nationally
Involvement Rate Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles
Traveled
Age
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Common Causes of Teen Crashes

• Inexperience
• High risk taking behavior
• Other teens in the car

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Oregons Graduated Drivers Licensing Program

• 1st Stage Instruction permit
• Must hold permit for 6 months to be eligible for
  license
  
• Permit cancelled if convicted of any alcohol
  related offense
  
• All occupants must wear safety belts
• Remain crash and conviction free for 6 months
• 2nd Stage Log hours
• Both the permit holder and parent or guardian
  need to certify that the permit holder has 50
  hours of supervised driving by someone at least
  21 years old with valid driver license

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Oregons Graduated Drivers Licensing Program

• 3rd Stage Driver Training Course or Log hours
• Permit holder must complete an ODOT approved
  Driver Training Course
  
• Or
• Complete an additional 50 hours of supervised
  practice driving
  
• 4th Stage Take the driving test and receive a
  provisional driving license
  
• For the first 6 months no passengers under 20 yrs
  are allowed in the vehicle who are not an
  immediate family member

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Oregons Graduated Drivers Licensing Program

• 5th Stage The second six months
• No more than three passengers under the age of 20
  yrs who are not members of your immediate family
  

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Restrictions of Provisional License

• For the first year your can not drive between
  midnight and 5 am unless you are
  
• Driving between home and work
• Driving between home and a school event for which
  there is no other transportation available
  
• Driving for employment purposes
• Accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least
  25 years old
  
• All restrictions are only for the first year or
  until you turn 18, whichever comes first.
  

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Violation of Graduated License Provisions

• Cite for No License
• Driver could have license suspended or be
  required to complete a driver improvement
  program
  
• Violations can mean losing your license
  altogether until your 18

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Benefits to Oregons GDL

• Reduces exposure to high risk nighttime driving
  (Over 60 of teen crashes occur between 6pm-5am)
  
• Motivates teen drivers to maintain a clean
  driving record
  
• Educates driver through training programs and
  supervised driving
  
• Cost effective

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Oregon Teen Drivers

• In 1998, 1,196 16 year old drivers were involved
  in a fatal or injury crash.
  
• In 2000, only 898 16 year old drivers were
  involved in a fatal or injury crash (a 24.9
  reduction).
  
• In 2001 the reductions continued. Only 810 16
  year old drivers were involved in a fatal or
  injury crash (a 32.3 reduction since 1998).
  
• In 2002 the reductions continued. Only 739 16
  year old drivers were involved in a fatal or
  injury crash ( 37.9) reduction since 1998).
  
• Oregon teen drivers 15-20 had a 51 lower
  fatality rate in 2001

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National Teen Crash Facts

• In the year 2000
• Teens (15-20 years old) comprised 5.1 of all
  drivers and accounted for 14 of all motor
  vehicle fatalities and 17 of all police reported
  crashes.
• Teenage drivers (ages 15 through 19) were
  involved in
  
• 1,005,000 property damage only crashes
• 535,000 crashes where a reportable injury
  occurred
  
• 520,000 injuries incurred by teens from these
  nonfatal crashes

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National Driver Fatalities15-20 year olds

• 1996 5,876
• 1997 5,477
• 1998 5,084
• 1999 4,916
• 2000 3,594

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How Do We Know GDL is Effective?

• Teen population is rising
• Teen drivers increased by 376,142 since 1996
• Fatalities and crashes have decreased
• GDL laws have been adopted in 46 states
• 44 states have changed their licensing procedures
  since 1996
  
• Many traffic safety programs have been cut
  because of lack of funding (i.e. Drivers
  Education)

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Conclusion

• Graduated Drivers Licensing programs are
  responsible for the dramatic decrease in the
  number of youth fatalities and crashes