Traffic injury prevention
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Previous studies have indicated that unlicensed drivers are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors, and are more likely than licensed drivers to be at fault and more seriously injured when involved in a crash. However, the prevalence of unlicensed drivers in the general driving population has not been measured, and the risk of an unlicensed driver being involved in an injury crash has not been quantified. We examined the association between unlicensed driving and car crash injury using data from a population-based case control study. ⋯ Unlicensed drivers are a high risk group for car crash injury after taking other crash-related risk factors into account. Strategies to reduce unlicensed driving may therefore facilitate reductions in road crashes, although further work is needed in this area.
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Traffic injury prevention · Sep 2005
Sixteen-year-old drivers in fatal crashes, United States, 2003.
Key features of graduated licensing were introduced in 46 states and the District of Columbia between 1993 and 2003. State evaluations consistently have reported positive overall effects and positive effects of nighttime and passenger restrictions. Sixteen year-olds are the main target of graduated licensing, and the present study investigated changes in their fatal crash involvement and crash characteristics that have taken place nationally during 1993-2003. By looking at 16 year-olds nationally, the study does not constitute a direct test of the effect of graduated licensing laws per se. ⋯ There has been some progress nationally in reducing the crash problem for 16 year-olds, but this still is a big problem. To achieve further progress, the gaps and weaknesses in present graduated licensing laws will need to be addressed.