Differences between provisionally licensed drivers who always display P plates and those who do not

Dr Lyndel Bates, Professor Barry Watson, Dr Mark KingANZSOC

1-3 October 2013

Background• GDL reduces crash risk for novice drivers

(Ehsani et al, 2013)

• Further benefits of GDL are likely to result from:– Increased compliance with the system– Enhancing the ability of police to enforce (Curry

et al, 2013)

Background• Internationally, identifying a provisional

driver requires a traffic stop and license inspection (Goodwin & Foss, 2004)

• Australia is one of the few places that requires provisional drivers to display P plates

P Plates• P Plates designed to:

– Facilitate enforcement efforts– Improve compliance with GDL restrictions– Reduce risky driving and crashes (Haworth &

Senserrick, 2005)

• Unlikely to display voluntarily (Bates, 2012)

• New Jersey implemented a decal law in 2010 (Curry et al, 2013)

• Limited evaluation and no Australian evaluation (Curry et al, 2013; Williams et al, 2012)

NSW GDL systemNew South Wales Pre-July 2007

Learner Theory Test

Minimum age 16 years

Hold for a minimum of 6 months

Zero alcohol limit (if < 25 years)

Must be supervised

Must display L plates

Must record 50 hours of supervised practice in log book

Restricted to speeds 80km/hr or below

Unable to tow

Practical Driving Assessment

5

New South Wales Pre-July 2007

Practical Driving Assessment

Provisional Licence P1

Minimum age 17 years

Must be held minimum 1 year (valid for 18 months)

Can incur 3 demerit points

Zero alcohol limit (< 25 years)

Limited to driving an automatic vehicle if tested in an automatic vehicle

Must display plates (red)

Restricted to speeds 90km/hr or below

Able to tow a maximum of 250kg

Hazard Perception Test

6

7

New South Wales Pre-July 2007

Hazard Perception Test

Provisional Licence P2

Must be held 2 years (valid for 3 years)

Zero alcohol limit (< 25 years)

Restricted to speeds 100km/hr or below

Must display plates (green)

Driver Qualification Test

Method

• Recruited outside driver licensing centres in NSW

• Telephone interview after approximately 20 months driving experience

• Completed between April and October 2008

Participants• 96 participants

– Male: 45 (46.9%)– Female: 51 (53.1%)

• Age: – M = 20.26– sd = 3.31 – Median = 19– Mode = 19

Type of provisional licence

P1P2

Access to a car

Own a carRegular accessLack access

Display of P plates

Always displayNot always display

Tow large items

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Obey vehicle power restriction

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

If lost licence, would not drive with passenger

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Drive after a couple of drinks

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Obey provisional speed limit

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Break the road rules if you know you won’t get caught

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Crashes and offences

Not always display Always display0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Caught committing of-fencesCrashed

Conclusions

• Provisional drivers that display P plates are more likely to:– Obey the provisional speed limit– Obey the road rules – even when they know

they won’t get caught

• Possible that there are other differences– Small numbers is a limitation

Further research

• How do provisional drivers perceive police enforcement?

• Are parents enforcing GDL provisions?• How do police perceive their role in the

enforcement of provisional drivers?• What role do P plates play in facilitating

enforcement by police?  • What are the motivations for not wearing P

plates?

ReferencesBates, L. (2012). The Experiences of Learner Drivers, Provisional Drivers and

Supervisors with Graduated Driver Licensing in Two Australian Jurisdictions. (PhD), University of Technology, Brisbane.

Curry, A., Pfeiffer, M., Localio, R., & Durbin, D. (2013). Graduated Driver Licensing Decal Law : Effect on Young Probationary Drivers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44(1), 1-7.

Ehsani, J. P., Bingham, C. R., & Shope, J. T. (2013). Graduated Driver Licensing for new drivers: Effects of three states' policies on crash rates among teenagers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 45(1), 9-18.

Goodwin, A. H., & Foss R. D. (2004). Graduated driver licensing restrictions: Awareness, compliance, and enforcement in North Carolina. Journal of Safety Research, 35(4), 367–374.

Haworth, N., & Senserrick, T. M. (2005). Review of literature regarding national and international young driver training, licensing and regulatory systems. Melbourne: Monash University Accident Research Centre.

Williams, A., Tefft, B., & Grabowski, D. C. (2012). Graduated driver licensing research, 2010-present. Journal of Safety Research, 43, 195-203.

Thank youQuestions?

Lyndel.Bates@qut.edu.au

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