Graduated Driver Licensing: Is it effective?

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)

Why Target Youth? RANKCAUSEPercent of Deaths Number of Deaths 1Motor Vehicle Crashes36%6,131 2Homicide17%2,988 3Suicide13%2,195 4Other Injury (falls, drowning, etc.) 10%1,642 5Cancer5%906 6Heart Disease3%540 All Other Causes Combined 16%2,820 TOTAL100%17,222

Fatality Involvement Rate Nationally Age Involvement Rate Per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled

Common Causes of Teen Crashes Inexperience High risk taking behavior Other teens in the car

Oregon’s 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

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 Oregon’s Graduated Drivers Licensing Program

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

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.

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

Benefits to Oregon’s 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

Oregon Teen Drivers In 1998, 1, year old drivers were involved in a fatal or injury crash. In 2000, only year old drivers were involved in a fatal or injury crash (a 24.9% reduction). In 2001 the reductions continued. Only year old drivers were involved in a fatal or injury crash (a 32.3% reduction since 1998). In 2002 the reductions continued. Only year old drivers were involved in a fatal or injury crash ( 37.9%) reduction since 1998). Oregon teen drivers had a 51% lower fatality rate in 2001

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

National Driver Fatalities year olds 1996 – 5, – 5, – 5, – 4, – 3,594

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)

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