Graduated Driver LicensesDoes it make a difference?

Presenter: Julie KnittleWashington Department of Licensing

March 2016

• Requires 16 & 17 year old new licensees to complete a DOL Driver Training program

• After they’re licensed:• First 6 months: No passengers under 20 years old,

except for immediate family members.

• Next 6 months: No more than 3 passengers under 20 years old who aren’t members of your immediate family

• First 12 months: you can’t drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you’re with a licensed driver 25 years or older.

• No cell phones:You aren’t permitted to use wireless devices while driving, even with a hands-free device.

What happens if the GDL driver gets in trouble?

• Penalties for violations:• First violation: Warning letter sent to driver and

parent/guardian

• 2nd violation: License suspended for 6 months (or until age 18, whichever comes first)

• 3rd violation: License suspended until age 18

• A person can wait until age 18 and skip the GDL requirements—test, pass, and go driving• Without any logged practice driving

• Without any DTS training

• Without restrictions on passengers

• Without any nighttime restrictions

• Does this make a difference?

• 75% of the 18 year olds and 85% of 19 year olds received their license at 16 or 17—giving them up to 3 years driving experience

• This review will focus on those first licensed at age 18 or 19 and compare them to those who were 16 and 17 when licensed

41,49846,655

60,280

70,814

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

16 17 18 19

Age of Driver

Total Licensed Drivers- 16-19 years old2014 Population

41,498

10,935

16,248

8,677

0

15,000

30,000

45,000

16 17 18 19Age at License

Newly Licensed Drivers- 16-19 years old2014 Population

• Compare 2012-2014 traffic violations

• Striking differences in behavior

• In a rate format to evenly compare

14.8

1.3 4.0

17.3

0.1

27.3

2.1

20.8

6.2

33.4 35.4

0.8

78.8

5.9

0

30

60

90

Paperwork,Equipmentviolations

Alcohol and DrugRelated

Insurance violations Drivingerrors/failures to

obey laws

Driving whilesuspended

Speeding Most serious--Reckless, Negligent,

Hit/Run,Assault/Homicide

Traffic Infractions in First Six MonthsWashington State 2012-2014 Rate per 1,000 drivers

Licensed Age 16-17 Licensed Age 18-19

• 16/17 = 152,551

• 18/19 = 73,901

2,265

193

608

2,636

8

4,164

316

1,540

457

2,471 2,616

57

5,824

439

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

Paperwork,Equipmentviolations

Alcohol and DrugRelated

Insuranceviolations

Drivingerrors/failures to

obey laws

Driving whilesuspended

Speeding Most serious--Reckless,

Negligent, Hit/Run,Assault/Homicide

Traffic Infraction Count in First Six MonthsWashington State 2012-2014

Licensed Age 16-17 Licensed Age 18-19

• A 2014 review of young driver fatalities:• shows that GDL participants are safer in year one.

• 18 year old novice drivers about 3 times as likely to die in their first licensed year.

7%

11%

29%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

16 17 18

Age at time of licensure

Fatal Crash 1st year of License

In Washington State in 2014:

7% of drivers licensed at age 16 were killed at age 16 (first year)11% of drivers licensed at age 17 were killed at age 17 (first year)29% of drivers licensed at age 18 were killed at age 18 (first year)

• Socio-economic barriers are key

25%

79%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Household Income Under $20K Household Income Over $100K

Socio-Economic Barriers Licensed Prior to Age 18 and Household Income

• The 2012 AAA study respondents said:

44%

39%36% 36% 35%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Don't Have a Car Able to Get AroundWithout Car

Cost of Gas Overall Cost Didn't Get Around to It

Reasons for Delay Until Age 18

• The majority of new drivers participate in GDL.

• About 25% of 18 year old drivers do not.

• The data shows that they’re several times more likely to commit traffic infractions.

• In Washington, they’re about 3 times more likely to die in the first year of driving than a GDL subjected 16/17 year old.

• Those who wait and sidestep the GDL process pose greater threats to themselves and other motorists.

Working toward safer drivers

• In May, NHTSA will be assessing our driver education and licensing programs.

• In June, Washington is moving from 25 to 40 questions on its knowledge test.

• A new multi-agency Young Driver Action Council has been established to develop a legislative package to propose to the Legislature next year.

Working toward safer drivers

Several ideas are being considered for upcoming changes in the Washington GDL:

-Modifying the GDL night restrictions to 9 or 10 PM-Extending the permit requirement from 6 months to 1 year.-Extending passenger restrictions from 6 months to one year.-Implementing training requirements for 18-20 year old novice drivers.-Establishing a new driver decal requirement similar to the successful program in New Jersey.-Creating a subsidy program to help low-income students cover traffic safety education costs.

For More InformationContact:

Julie Knittle, Assistant Director

WA Department of Licensing

jknittle@dol.wa.gov; (360) 902-3850