Adults Views About

1
Adults Views About GDL Upgrades in Connecticut
ALLAN F. WILLIAMS NEIL K. CHAUDHARY Preusser
Research Group, Inc. 7100 Main Street Trumbull,
CT 06611
LIFESAVERS 2008 Portland, Oregon April 15, 2008

2
GDL a Success

• Jean Shope (2007) reviewed 21 state and 6
  national studies
• Overall, GDL programs have reduced the youngest
  drivers crash risk by roughly 20 40

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But, Teen Crashes are Still Common

• Fatal and police reported crashes per population
  are higher for 16-year-olds than for drivers age
  30 and older, despite lower licensing rate and
  fewer miles per driver.

4
Responses to the Current Problem

• Strengthen GDL
• Attempt to increase GDL compliance
• Increase penalties
• Tougher tests
• Raise the licensing age

5
Ways to Strengthen GDL Core Elements

• Impose learner, night and passenger requirements
  
• Lengthen learner periods
• More supervised driving
• Start night restrictions earlier
• Reduce number of passengers allowed
• Lengthen passenger restrictions

6
IIHS Ratings of GDL Systems

• Good 29
• Fair 12
• Marginal 10
• Poor 0

7
Present Connecticut GDL (rated good)

• Minimum entry age 16 (4 with driver ed)
• 1997 six month minimum learner period
• 2004 six month passenger restriction, amended in
  2005
• 2005 night restriction midnight 5 am
• 2005 20 hours required driving practice as
  learner

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Enhancements Considered by Task Force

• Longer permit holding period
• Increase in minimum permit age
• Increased supervised driving as learner
• Extending passenger restriction
• Earlier starting nighttime restriction

9
Parents Views are Critical

• Primary constituency for legislators debating GDL
  laws
• On the front line with respect to implementing
  and monitoring compliance
• Their understanding of the rationale for the
  laws, and buy-in, are important
• Prior surveys indicate strong support for GDL
  

10
Methods

• Telephone survey conducted week of January 7,
  2008
• Two Samples
• Parents of 15, 16 and 17 year olds (N398)
• Adults without children of these ages (N409)

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Knowledge of Current Law

12
Support for New Provisions

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Bottom Line

• Somewhat limited awareness of night restriction
• Good overall support for most enhancements
• Non-parents of teens more supportive than
  parents. Why?
• Considerable minority opposition

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Task Force Recommendations

• Increase supervised driving from 20 to 40 hours
• Start night restriction at 11 p.m.
• Extend passenger restriction from 6 to 12 months
• Increased penalties for violations