Welcome!Richard P. Tieszen

Jon Ryckman

Maximize Experience, Minimize Risk.

The situation One solution – enhancing GDL Effect on crashes Safe and Sound South Dakota Summary

Young DriversReducing Motor Vehicle

Crashes, Deaths and Injuries

Teen Crash Fatalities

Leading Cause of DeathUnited States, Ages 14 - 17

Source: CDC, 2003-2007

39%

Admitted to the Union in 1889 as the 40th State, South Dakota is known for beautiful scenery like Mount Rushmore and the Badlands, its rolling plains, and for the excellent people who inhabit it. Unfortunately, South Dakota is also known for having one of the worst teenage automobile crash mortality rates in the country. In fact, when compared to only its six neighboring states, the teenage motor vehicle accident mortality rate in South Dakota is 37% higher.

Teen Crash ExperienceHas your son/daughter been in a crash as a driver? (by

age)

Survey of South Dakota parents, 2011

Teen’s Crash SeverityHow serious was the first crash?

Survey of South Dakota parents, 2011

Leading Cause of DeathSouth Dakota, Ages 14 - 17

Source: CDC, 2003-2007

44%

Victim role in teen driver (15-17) fatal crashes - South Dakota

Source: AAA, 1998-2007

Driver crash involvements per million miles traveled

Source: A.F. Williams, Journal of Safety Research 34 (2003) 5-15

Crash Rates by Age

Why?

Crash rate per 10,000 licensed drivers

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

-25

26

-30

31

-35

36

-40

41

-45

46

-50

51

-55

56

-60

61

-65

66

-70

71

-75

76

-80

81

+

Source: SD Dept of Transportation 2010 crashes only

% Crashing by number of months licensed – Teens*North Carolina

Months licensed

42 48 54 6012 18 24 306 36

2.0%

1.5%

1.0%

0.5%

2.5%

* Beginning age 16

Universal learning curve

Increased risk of driver death during first year of driving, by number of passengers*

*vs. no passengers Source: Chen et al., JAMA, 2000

Graduated Driver LicensingThe Principle:

Maximize ExperienceMinimize Risks

Among all novice drivers

1st Stage – Learner PermitSupervised driving only (preferably 12 mo.)*

2nd Stage - Intermediate (6 months)Night driving restriction (10 p.m. – 6 a.m.)*

Passenger restriction (< 1 teen passenger)*

3rd Stage Full License (until age 18)Belt use for all occupants, all stages

GDL system should, in principle, include:

* Evidence documents beneficial effects of these elements

SD’s Licensing System Outdated

GDL systems address three greatest risks to young drivers

InexperienceMultiple Passengers/DistractionsNighttime Driving

SD’s original GDL program was on the forefrontHasn’t evolved with new knowledge since 1999

Current system falls short of fully preparing teens to drive safely

% Crashing by number of months licensed – Teens*

Months licensed

42 48 54 6012 18 24 306 36

2.0%

1.5%

1.0%

0.5%

2.5%

* Beginning age 16

Element Current Recommended

Learner permit 6 mo. First 12 mo.

Nighttime limit 10 pm – 6 am(Under age 16 only)

10 pm – 6 am

Passenger limit None

< 1 teen

South Dakota’s Current GDL System vs. recommended

16 & 17 Year-old Driver Death Rate* by Time and Presence of Passengers

Source: Chen et al., JAMA, 2000*per million miles traveled

Are teen crashes just a city issue?After all, that’s where all the traffic is…

Source: SD Div. of Driver Licensing Program

14 15 16 17 180

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

20441444 1146 903 704

1260

5089

3059

1450716

3811

6670

8502

Driver license types by age, January 2011

Learner

Restricted minor

License

14 15 16 17 180

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

962

2939

4453

49735296

Crashes by driver age, 2005-2010

Source: SD Dept. of Public Safety

Source: SD Dept. of Public Safety

Non-fatal crashes more common in cities/towns

Fatal crashes far more common on rural roads

Source: SD Dept. of Public Safety

Young drivers have more trouble on gravel

Source: SD Dept. of Public Safety

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21-750%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%43% 44% 44% 42%

36%31%

28%31%

Percent single vehicle crashes on rural roads by driver age

Source: SD Dept. of Public Safety

Effects of comprehensive GDLs

Multiple passenger crashes decreased 32% when NC added a one passenger limit to their GDL.

Comprehensive GDLs produce substantially greater crash reductions that limited GDLs. Best GDLs reduce crashes 40% among

16 year-olds.

Crash rate ratio for 16 & 17 year-olds vs. 25-54 year-olds, NC 1991-2003

GDL

16y/o17y/o

Parents Strongly Support GDL

Parents strongly support GDL

National Survey 2010: 90% approve night limit 88% approve passenger limit

78% support passenger limit of zero or one teen

60% prefer learner period of 12 months or longer

Do you think South Dakota should increase the permit length to 12 months?

Survey of South Dakota parents, 2011

Data was gathered from the South Dakota Department of Transportation, and a survey of South Dakota parents of teenage drivers was performed. Parents generally support GDL, but it is evident that its value is underestimated at this time. 83% of polled parents feel that their children did not receive adequate supervision during the learning period.

Conditions where teen did not get enough practice

Survey of South Dakota parents, 2011

Conditions parents believe are most risky for teens

Survey of South Dakota parents, 2011

Do you think South Dakota should limit newly licensed teen drivers to no more than one

teen passenger?

Survey of South Dakota parents, 2011

Often Sometimes Rarely Never0%

25%

34%

14%16%

36%

24%

35%

27%

14%

How often does teen drive siblings?

To School Other Places

Teen driver as chauffeur

Teen driver as chauffeur

Often Sometimes Rarely Never0%

20%

40%

9%11%

30%

50%

12%

26%

31%30%

How often does teen drive friends?

To SchoolAfter school events

Summary

GDL addresses the major teen health issue Protects teenagers (& other road users) Inexperience is the issue (not age or misbehavior) Supports parents, and they like it SD GDL hasn’t kept up with current research

Summary - continued

SD GDL hasn’t kept up with current research Need passenger limit

Needs to focus on experience rather than age

Learner period is too short to provide adequate experience while supervised by an adult

South Dakota’s GDL System

Element Current Recommended

Learner Permit 3 months* First 12 months

Nighttime Limit10pm - 6am

Under age 16 only

10pm - 6am

Months 13-18

Passenger Limit None<1 teen

Months 13-18

Who are we?AAA South Dakota

American Family Insurance

Avera

Girls Scouts Dakota Horizons

Hayward Fire & Emergency Services

Northern Lights SADD

Regional Health

Sanford Health

Sioux Empire Safety Village

South Dakota Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics

South Dakota Emergency Medical Services for Children

Please visit Safe and Sound South Dakota

on Facebook

South Dakota Insurance Alliance

South Dakota Safety Council

South Dakota Sheriff’s Association

South Dakota Voices for Children

State Farm Insurance

Volunteers of America – Dakotas

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