Citation

Williams AF, McCartt AT. J. Saf. Res. 2014; 48: 1-6.

Affiliation

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1005 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA, United States. Electronic address: amccartt@iihs.org.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2013.10.001

PMID

24529085

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Three New Jersey licensing policies are unique in the United States: (a) minimum licensing age of 17; (b) applying full graduated driver licensing (GDL) rules to beginners younger than 21; and (c) requiring license status decals on vehicle plates of drivers in GDL. METHODS: New Jersey 17-19year-olds were surveyed by telephone and online. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent approved licensing at 17; 77% approved applying GDL to older novices; 23% approved the decal policy. Probationary licensees ages 18-19 were more likely than 17year-olds to have multiple nighttime restriction violations in the past month. There were no age group differences in passenger restriction violations. DISCUSSION: All three policies have been considered in other states. Views of teenagers directly affected by the policies can be taken into account in considering their implementation. Practical applications: Views of licensing policies by affected teenagers indicate potential support or obstacles to their adoption in other states.

Language: en