The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71791

Lisa K. Hyde, BS¹, Lenora M. Olson, MA², Amy C. Lightfoot, BS², and Lawrence J. Cook, MStat². (1) University of Utah School of Medicine, Intermountain Injury Control Research Center, 615 Arapeen Dr, Suite 202, Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1226, (801) 581-5755, lisa.hyde@hsc.utah.edu, (2) Intermountain Injury Control Research Center, University of Utah, 615 Arapeen Drive, Suite 202, Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1226

Introduction: Utah has implemented graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws to reduce the crash risks of novice drivers, but the effectiveness of these laws has not been evaluated. Methods: Statewide motor vehicle crash, emergency department, inpatient, and driver license data for 1996-2001 were probabilistically linked to identify 16-year-old drivers in crashes. Tests of proportions, rate differences, and intervention time series analyses were used to detect changes before and after each GDL component was implemented. Results: There were 27,304 16-year-old driver crashes. The overall crash rate for 16-year-olds decreased by 11% (1.08, 1.13) and a significant decrease in the trend for the percent of 16-year-olds receiving their licenses, from a high of 89.6% in 1998 to a low of 75.9% in 2001 (p<0.001). We found no significant decreases in the rate of ED visits (rate ratio (RR) = 0.97, 95% CI 0.91, 1.02), hospitalization rate (rate difference (RD): -0.18, 95% CI –0.58, 0.23), or fatality rate (RD = 0.1 95% CI -0.11, 0.23). However, in the second year after GDL, there was a decrease of 0.5 hospitalizations per 1,000 licensed drivers (95% CI 0.17, 0.83) and a 10% decrease in emergency department visits (95% CI for RR 1.01, 1.19). The nighttime crash rate declined by 14% after nighttime restrictions became effective, but the decline was not significant (RR = 0.76, 1.0). Conclusion: The decrease in crashes suggests that GDL may be effective in reducing young driver crashes, but more follow-up data will be necessary to determine if the changes observed continue.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to assess the effectivess of Utah's graduated driver licensing system in reducing novice driver motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.