Publication Details

The effect of extending graduated driver licensing to older novice drivers in Indiana

Type: Paper

Author(s): Wang, Yudan Chen; Foss, Robert D.; Goodwin, Arthur H.; Curry, Allison E.

Pages: 36

Publisher: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Publication Date: Oct-2019

Address: Washington, DC

Abstract: On July 1, 2015, Indiana modified its Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system for 18- to 20-year-old novice drivers, adding nighttime and passenger restrictions to the existing mandatory 6-month learner period for all novice drivers under the age of 21. This policy change offered a unique and important opportunity to examine whether extending full GDL requirements to older novices produces safety benefits similar to those seen with younger novices. The objective of this study was to examine several possible effects of Indiana s extension of GDL on 18- to 20-year-old novice drivers safety. The following specific questions were addressed: 1) Did crash rates among 18- to 20-year-old novice drivers decline during their first year of unsupervised driving after GDL was updated? 2) Did nighttime crashes and multi-occupant crashes decline during the first 6 months of licensure the time when the night and passenger limits apply after GDL was updated? Data were obtained from the Indiana State Police on all reportable crashes occurring between Jan. 1, 2012 and April 17, 2018. License history data for Jan. 1, 2012 to June 18, 2018 were obtained from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The analyses examined the 56,534 drivers who were clearly licensed completely under either the previous or updated licensing system.