The rate of crashes or near-crashes among teen drivers rose eightfold after they finished the learner period and began driving independently.
To investigate possible causes for excess crash rates in new adolescent drivers, researchers monitored 90 adolescent drivers while they possessed learner permits and after they were newly licensed, comparing them with 131 experienced adult drivers. Vehicles were equipped with a data acquisition system to capture miles driven and video-record drivers. Crash/near-crash (CNC) and kinematic risky driving (KRD) rates were analyzed with respect to gender, time of day (day/night), and road condition (wet/dry).
CNC and KRD rates of adolescents were similar compared with adult drivers during the teens' learner phase but were eightfold (CNC) and fourfold (KRD) higher during the first quarter of independent driving. During the independent driving phase…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardEli Lilly and Company; Advisory Council, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Subboard for Adolescent Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
Grant/Research SupportPatty Brisben Foundation
Editorial BoardsOsteoporosis International; Bone; Journal of Adolescent Health
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardEli Lilly and Company; Advisory Council, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Subboard for Adolescent Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
Grant/Research SupportPatty Brisben Foundation
Editorial BoardsOsteoporosis International; Bone; Journal of Adolescent Health