Long-term effect of the North Carolina graduated driver licensing system on licensed driver crash incidence: a 5-year survival analysis.

Several studies document the success of graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems in reducing young teen crash rates, but it is not yet clear whether any portion of the crash reduction is achieved by producing more capable drivers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether young teen drivers licensed under the North Carolina GDL system remain crash-free longer than those licensed prior to GDL, independent of the crude reductions in exposure (i.e.

Short-term effects of a teenage driver cell phone restriction.

On December 1, 2006, North Carolina began prohibiting use of any mobile communication device by drivers younger than 18. The current study examined the effects of the law on teenage drivers' cell phone use. Teenage drivers were observed at high schools in North Carolina 1-2 months before and approximately 5 months after the law took effect.

Do states upgrading to primary enforcement of safety belt laws experience increased daytime and nighttime belt use?

As of 1 January 2007, 26 states and the District of Columbia have enacted primary enforcement of their safety belt laws, which allows law enforcement to stop motorists and cite them solely when they observe a vehicle occupant who is not wearing a safety belt. Interrupted time series analyses were used to determine whether six states which upgraded to primary enforcement laws experienced changes in nighttime (9:00 p.m.

Parental supervision of teenage drivers in a graduated licensing system.

Objectives: Most states now have lengthy learner periods for young, beginning drivers as part of their graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems. Although parents play a vital role during the learner stage of GDL by supervising driving practice, virtually nothing is known about the nature and quality of parental supervision. The objectives of this study were to investigate parents' supervisory behavior and parent-teen relationships during the learner stage of graduated licensing and to evaluate two approaches for assisting parents in supervising their teenager's early driving experience.

Encouraging compliance with graduated driver licensing restrictions.

Problem: Although graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs have reduced the high crash rates for 16-and 17-year-old drivers, research suggests that some teenagers fail to comply with restrictions on nighttime driving and carrying passengers.

Method: A program to encourage compliance with GDL restrictions and seat belt requirements was implemented in Guilford County, North Carolina. The program combined increased enforcement with a multi-faceted publicity campaign drawing attention to the enforcement activity.

Lessons from the MAPP demonstration sites.

This article describes one component of a three-part evaluation of a community health improvement model called MAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships). This component examined the use of MAPP by nine local public health agencies that acted as demonstration sites. Using qualitative data from telephone interviews, focus group data, and document reviews, the evaluators identified four themes associated with how MAPP was implemented and the factors that influenced implementation.

Driver's exposure to distractions in their natural driving environment.

Unobtrusive video camera units were installed in the vehicles of 70 volunteer drivers over 1-week time periods to study drivers' exposure to distractions. The video data were coded based on a detailed taxonomy of driver distractions along with important contextual variables and driving performance measures. Results show distractions to be a common component of everyday driving.

Graduated driver licensing restrictions: awareness, compliance, and enforcement in North Carolina.

Problem: This study examined the extent to which critical restrictions in North Carolina's graduated driver licensing (GDL) system are known, adhered to, and enforced.

Method: Teenagers and their parents were recruited as they applied for either an intermediate or full license at 1 of 23 licensing offices. Telephone interviews were conducted with 900 teenagers and their parents.

Characteristics of older motorcyclist crashes.

In the U.S. as well as other countries, the number of motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes has risen sharply over the past five years, due in part to the increased popularity of motorcycling among older riders.

Documenting the sustainability of a mature Click It or Ticket program: the North Carolina experience.

North Carolina was the first United States jurisdiction to implement a statewide program (called Click It or Ticket) coupling concentrated enforcement with massive publicity to increase seat belt use. After a successful pilot program in three very different North Carolina communities, the statewide program was launched in October 1993, and has been most active and productive as well as imitated by many other states over the past decade. This paper explores the combination of ingredients that have been employed and sustained over that period of time.

On-road driving evaluations: a potential tool for helping older adults drive safely longer.

Problem: This paper explores the potential use of on-road driving evaluations as a tool for helping older adults extend their safe driving years.

Method: Three separate research activities were carried out. The first was a national telephone survey of current and former older drivers.

The causes and consequences of distraction in everyday driving.

To document drivers' exposure to potential distractions and the effects of these distractions on driving performance, inconspicuous video camera units were mounted in the vehicles of 70 volunteer subjects. The camera units automatically recorded a closeup view of the driver's face, a broader view of the interior of the vehicle, and the roadway immediately ahead of the vehicle whenever it was powered on. Three hours of randomly selected data per subject were coded based on a taxonomy of driver distractions (talking on cell phone, eating, tuning radio, etc.

Driver risk factors for sleep-related crashes.

A population-based case-control study was carried out to examine driver risk factors for sleep-related motor vehicle crashes. Cases included 312 drivers involved in recent North Carolina crashes and identified on police reports as asleep at the time of the crash and 155 drivers identified as fatigued. Controls were 529 drivers also involved in recent crashes but not identified as asleep or fatigued, and 407 drivers not involved in recent crashes.

Enhancing the effectiveness of graduated driver licensing legislation.

Problem: Many states have enacted graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems in an effort to reduce the very high crash rates of young beginning drivers. This article addresses how to achieve the maximum benefit from GDL by ensuring compliance with protective restrictions.

Enhancing Gdl Through System Structure: The major crash reductions due to GDL systems result from the protective restrictions during the initial two levels, which isolate novice drivers from the highest risk driving situations.

The role of driver distraction in crashes: an analysis of 1995-1999 Crashworthiness Data System Data.

Five years (1995-1999) of national Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) data are analyzed to determine the role of driver distraction in traffic crashes and the specific sources of this distraction. Results show that 8.3 percent of the drivers were distracted at the time of their crash; after adjustment for the large percentage of drivers with unknown distraction status, the percentage rose to 12.

Initial effects of graduated driver licensing on 16-year-old driver crashes in North Carolina.

Context: Since 1997, 32 states have enacted graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems to reduce crash rates among young novice drivers.

Objective: To determine the initial effect of the North Carolina GDL system on crashes among 16-year-old drivers.

Design, Setting, And Subjects: Comparison of population-based North Carolina motor vehicle crash rates before (1996-1997) and after (1999) 16-year-old drivers were licensed under the GDL system.

Evaluation of the effects of North Carolina's 0.08% BAC law.

This study was conducted to determine whether the lowered BAC limit for drivers in North Carolina resulted in fewer alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. We used time-series analysis to examine several indicators of alcohol involvement in both injury and fatal crashes between 1991 and 1996. Data from NC crash files as well as the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) are used.

Alcohol and motor vehicle-related deaths of children as passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Context: The overall percentage of motor vehicle deaths associated with alcohol consumption declined between 1991 and 1996, but the risk of death due to alcohol-related crashes for children warrants analysis.

Objective: To examine the association between alcohol use by drivers and mortality of children who were passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Design And Setting: Analysis of data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a nationwide US registry of motor vehicle deaths, for 1991-1996.

Motor vehicle and roadway factors in pedestrian and bicyclist injuries: an examination based on emergency department data.

Information on 2558 persons treated for injuries incurred while bicycling or walking was collected from eight hospital emergency departments over approximately a one-year time period. The emergency departments represented a mix of urban and suburban/rural sites in three states--California, New York, and North Carolina. The data were collected on special survey forms and included detailed information about the location of the injury event.

Effectiveness of graduated driver licensing in reducing motor vehicle crashes.

Objective: To determine whether graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems and nighttime curfews reduce motor vehicle crashes, fatalities, or injuries among young drivers.

Methods: We used Cochrane Collaboration search strategies to locate studies of graduated licensing or night driving restrictions. Studies were selected if they examined the effects of either (1) a comprehensive graduated driver licensing system including well-integrated components, or (2) nighttime driving restrictions/curfews that could affect young persons' nighttime driving, on a clearly defined crash or injury outcome.

Do older drivers with visual and cognitive impairments drive less?

Objective: To determine whether older drivers with poorer cognitive and/or visual function drive fewer miles or avoid driving in situations that pose higher crash risks, such as at nighttime, in rush hour traffic, or when weather conditions are bad.

Design: A cross-sectional data analysis conducted as part of a larger prospective study.

Subjects: A total of 3238 drivers aged 65 and older applying for renewal of their driver's license at one of eight participating North Carolina driver's license offices.

Cognitive test performance and crash risk in an older driver population.

This paper reports on the usefulness of five brief tests of cognitive function for identifying older drivers who may be at increased risk of crash involvement; it also examines the broader issue of whether impaired cognitive function is associated with increased crash risk in the older driver population. Data for the study were collected from 3238 drivers aged 65 and older applying for renewal of their North Carolina driver's license. The specific cognitive assessments examined include the Trail Making Test parts A and B, the Short Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration test of cognitive impairment, a modification of the American Association of Retired Persons 'Reaction Time' test, and a timed Traffic Sign Recognition test.

A new method for predicting crashworthiness.

Consumer information concerning the predicted 'safeness' of a new car model is based on the results of crash tests. Unfortunately, because it allows comparisons only within size/weight groups, the information is somewhat incompatible with the normal car-purchase decision process since consumers often consider cars within different groups. In addition, based on past research, the association of the crash-test information with real-world crash outcomes is, at best, somewhat limited.

Seat belt use among drinking drivers in Minnesota.

Objectives: Among the reasons cited for recent declines in alcohol-related traffic fatalities is the enactment of seat belt use laws by most states. It is suspected that drinking drivers are less likely to comply with such laws, although evidence on the relationship between belt use and drinking by drivers is sparse and conflicting. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of drinking to driver seat belt use.