NCJ Number
115996
Journal
Alcohol, Drugs and Driving Volume: 4 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (July-December 1988) Pages: 283-295
Date Published
1988
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A survey of high school students in seven States in 1983 found that students from States where teenagers typically are licensed at an early age reported more driving, risky driving, crashes, and violations than students in States that typically did not grant drivers' licenses until the teenager was somewhat older.
Abstract
The survey gathered information from 52,304 students in 75 public high schools in California, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York. The States were chosen to represent a wide range of driving conditions and State laws. Two license at age 15; one, at age 17. One licenses at age 16 but imposes a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on 16-year-old drivers as well as some 17-year-olds. Results showed that while most students want to become licensed as soon as they can, the rate of licensure between States was extremely variable. Findings indicated that delayed licensure and/or the granting of only limited-privilege licenses to youths age 15-17 is a direct and effective approach for limiting teenagers' driving exposure, risky driving, and crash involvements. Delayed licensure can be achieved through establishing involved licensing requirements, delaying the time at which a learner's permit may be obtained, limiting the availability of high school driver's education, and granting young teenagers a license that is less than a full permit to drive anywhere at any time. Figures, tables, and 17 references. (Author abstract modified)