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ARTICLES: Kenneth R. Ginsburg, Flaura K. Winston, Teresa M. Senserrick, Felipe García-España, Sara Kinsman, D. Alex Quistberg, James G. Ross, and Michael R. Elliott National Young-Driver Survey: Teen Perspective and Experience With Factors That Affect Driving Safety Pediatrics 2008; 121: e1391-e1403 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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Comprehensive graduated driver licensing (GDL) legislation and better enforcement

Ediriweera Desapriya   (15 September 2008)

Comprehensive graduated driver licensing (GDL) legislation and better enforcement 15 September 2008
Ediriweera Desapriya, Research Associate Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Community Child Health Research Send letter to journal: Re: Comprehensive graduated driver licensing (GDL) legislation and better enforcement edesap{at}cw.bc.ca Ediriweera Desapriya	Road trauma remains one of the leading causes of death for young drivers worldwide. Despite continued funding and the implementation of effective road safety strategies, road fatalities in this age group have remained relatively high. Public Health Community need to push for more comprehensive legislation and better enforcement based on the evidence. (1, 2) To achieve acceptable reduction in youth motor vehicle crash related injuries and fatalities, various road safety strategies for new drivers must receive priority. (2, 3) It is evident that our current graduated licensing laws (GDL) have been steering young drivers in the right direction. However, until cell phone ban, maximum speed limits, zero tolerance for alcohol use and compulsory seat belt laws are incorporated into the graduated licensing system throughout North America and the world, it is unlikely that we could save our precious young lives and could make difference in our road safety. One of the major reasons teens are killed or seriously injured when involved in traffic crashes is lack of safety belt use. GDL laws that explicitly include requirements for safety belt use in all phases, and sanctions that prohibit “graduation” to the next licensing phase if there is a safety belt citation, could increase teen belt use substantially. Zero-tolerance program for nonuse of safety belts, use of cell phone while driving and exceeding safe posted speed limits could be implemented, with immediate loss of license or other administrative penalties resulting for non-compliance. Parents must actively involve in youth driver education, training and supervision more than before. With parents close supervision and guidance; it is easy to implement nighttime driving restrictions and passenger restrictions. Effective policies to reduce easy access of alcohol to youth drivers must receive due concern. Entertainment industry and business community must take initiative for serving alcohol with extra responsibility. Otherwise we will have only symbolic value of those effective policies such as zero tolerance and minimum drinking age laws. Alcohol industry responsibility towards youth motor vehicle crash prevention must be clearly defined in national alcohol policy. No policy can be effective unless it is adequately implemented and enforced, and there is awareness of both the policy and the enforcement efforts on the part of the intended targets.(4, 5) As with all above zero- tolerance programs, enforcement and strategic media campaigns to increase youth drivers awareness of the law and of its enforcement efforts could significantly increase the effectiveness of these laws. REFERENCES: (1).Ginsburg K.R., Winston F.K., Senserrick T.M., García-España F., Kinsman S., Quistberg D.A., Ross J.G., Elliott M.R. National young-driver survey: teen perspective and experience with factors that affect driving safety. Pediatrics. 2008;121(5):e1391-403. (2) Desapriya E., Pike I., Raina P., Severity of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes in British Columbia: case - control study.Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot. 2006;13(2):89-94 (3).. Desapriya, E., Shimizu, S., Pike, I., Smith, D. Impact of Lowering the legal BAC Limit to .03 on teenage drinking and driving related crashes in Japan-Japanese Journal of Alcohol & Drug Dependence 2006; 41 (6) 513-527 (4) Johnston B.D., Rivara F.P., Droesch R.M., Dunn C., Copass M.K. Behavior change counseling in the emergency department to reduce injury risk: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics. 2002; 110:267 -274 (5). American Academy of Pediatrics Committees on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention, and on Adolescence. The teen driver. Pediatrics 2006;118:2570-81 Conflict of Interest: None declared

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