Effectiveness of Graduated Driver's Licensing Programs
Information
10/01/2003 - 09/01/2006
Status:
Closed
Project conducted to assess the association between GDL programs having various components and fatal motor vehicle crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. A retrospective study of all 16-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes in the United States from 1994 through 2004 using data obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the US Census Bureau. Overall, implementation of GDL programs was associated with a 12% reduction in fatal motor vehicle crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. Reductions of 16% to 23% were associated with programs that included a mandatory holding period, a requirement of 30 or more hours of supervised driving, and nighttime driving and/or passenger restrictions. Programs having fewer than 5 of the 7 major components did not experience significant reductions in fatal crash rates, nor did drivers aged 20-24 or 25-29. Concluded that GDL programs with most of the major components are associated with substantial reductions in 16-year-old drivers’ fatal crash rates. Programs having at least 5 of the 7 types of components appeared to be associated with the greatest benefit.
“Being so close to Maryland, I knew Johns Hopkins was a great hospital but I never knew it had the same caliber of researchers until we started to work with the team from the Injury Center,” said Steve Austin, past-president of the Delaware Volunteer Fire Association (DVFA).
