Evaluation of Oregon's Graduated Driver Licensing program

Abstract

The State of Oregon enacted its Graduated Driver's License (GDL) program in March 2000. Oregon's GDL program includes both a nighttime driving restriction (midnight-5 a.m.) for the first year, and a passenger restriction (no passengers younger than age 20 in the first 6 months; no more than three passengers younger than age 20 in the second 6 months). The GDL law also mandates either 50 hours of supervised driving and the completion of an Oregon Department of Transportation approved driver education course, or 100 hours of supervised driving (without completion of the driver education course). The Center for Applied Research evaluated Oregon's GDL program comparing teen drivers before and after implementation of the GDL program, and to an adult comparison group (age 25-65 years). After GDL implementation, teen crash, traffic conviction (a judgment of guilt against a traffic offender) and license suspension (when the State takes an offender's license for a predetermined amount of time) rates were lower for all age groups, even among the unrestricted 18- and 19-year-old novice drivers. The analysis of convictions, suspensions and crashes offers strong support for GDL programs. In combination with the support shown by all participants in the focus groups, it appears that GDL is a strong and feasible legislative countermeasure that States can implement to reduce teen novice driver crashes.