Young Drivers in Georgia: Before and After the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act

Nancy J. Thompson, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Small Project PI
Who: Target Population: Teen drivers Study Sample: Teen Drivers in Georgia before and after the passage of the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA)
 
What: Georgia’s TADRA is one of the most stringent graduated licensing programs in the nation. It includes zero tolerance of driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as automatic license revocation for excessive speeding and other highly dangerous driving behaviors. A previous study investigated the impact of the Georgia’s TADRA during the period extending 5 years after the passage of TADRA. Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey YRBS), this study will study extend those results for an additional 5 years as well as investigate the impact on teenage risky driving behaviors other than fatal crashes.
 
Where: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
 
Why: In 1979, Maryland became the first state to adopt some elements of a graduated licensing program. Since that time, a number of other states have adopted varying aspects of graduated licensing, but few have conducted long-term evaluations of the results. We need longer-term evaluations of these programs to determine whether young driver fatalities are prevented, or simply delayed by such programs.
 
Impact: If the law continues to be effective over a 10-year period, then: (1) legislators will have the supporting information needed to continue funding the zero-tolerance and license suspension efforts; and (2) other states can be encouraged to adopt the elements of this effective program.
 
Return on Investment: Continuing this effort should prevent about 400 licensed drivers age 15-19 in Georgia from being involved in fatal crashes each year.