Impact of Graduated Drive Licensing

The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI), in partnership with the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, recently completed an analysis of the impact of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) on vehicle crashes and fatalities.  One highlight of the report’s findings reveals that an estimated 32 lives were saved in 2010 due to the GDL law in combination with other injury prevention measures.

Findings released today at a joint news conference presented by ACHI, the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office indicate a statistically significant decrease in motor vehicle crashes and deaths involving teen drivers during the

first full year after implementation of the law.  The GDL is a tiered approach designed to minimize distractions and reduce exposure to higher risk driving situations as new drivers gain driving experience.

According to Paul K. Halverson, DrPH, Director and State Health Officer, Arkansas Department of Health, ―Teens are at a higher risk of being involved in motor vehicle crashes than adults, and teens in Arkansas die in motor vehicle crashes at a rate twice that of the national average. Having a single passenger in the car increases the crash risk by 40 percent for teens, and the risk of crashing is four times higher when using a cell phone while driving.‖

Just a few years ago, if a teenager was 16 years of age, he or she had only to pass a written exam and a short driving test to receive an unrestricted license.  Licensed teenagers were free to operate motor vehicles with very little experience or knowledge.  Arkansas Code 27-16-804(f)  was passed by the Arkansas General Assembly in 2009 with the purpose ―to improve the safety of roads and highways in the state by addressing issues related to the licensing of youthful drivers; to amend the law regarding restricted driver’s licenses, learner’s licenses, and intermediate licenses; and for other purposes.‖

ACHI Director and Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Joe Thompson said, ―Graduated Driver Licensing gives parents an important tool to use with their children to help them become responsible drivers in our state.  The reduction in crashes and fatalities following implementation of the law is very good news.

Highlights from the ―Evaluation of the Arkansas Graduated Driver License‖ report include:

·    59% reduction in fatalities from crashes involving teen drivers

·    22% reduction of crashes for 16 year olds

·    76% reduction of fatalities involving teen drivers during the hours of 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

These results are positive for all Arkansans, particularly because motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for teenagers between the ages of 14 to 18 from the year 2000 to 2007 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These trends likely reflect many factors, including the new GDL and other policies, improved awareness of safety measures, and other considerations.

Dr. Mary Aitken, director of the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and a member of the UAMS Pediatrics faculty, stated:  ―It’s very encouraging to see these positive trends in our teen driver statistics. There is still a lot of work to be done to make sure the roads in Arkansas are safer, however.  The Injury Prevention Center at ACH will continue to advocate for strong policies like GDL and provide education for teen drivers and their parents about the how they can reduce risk on the roads—everything from adhering to the GDL provisions, putting away the cellphone, to buckling up on every trip.