Citation

Langley JD, Begg DJ, Brookland RL, Samaranayaka A, Jordan H, Davie GS. Traffic Injury Prev. 2012; 13(1): 7-13.

Affiliation

Injury Prevention Research Unit , Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2011.635170

PMID

22239138

Abstract

Objectives: In a graduated driver license environment, (1) compare nonprogressors with progressors in terms of prelearner license sociodemographic and behavioral factors, (2) determine whether nonprogressors were more likely to have had a traffic offense than progressors, and (3) determine why nonprogressors chose not to progress. Methods: Our study population was that of the New Zealand Drivers Study (NZDS), a prospective cohort study of newly licensed drivers designed to explore the relationship between a comprehensive range of driving and traffic safety related factors and subsequent traffic crashes and convictions among newly licensed drivers. Nonprogressors, those who had not progressed from a learner to a restricted license 2 years after being eligible to do so, were compared with progressors in terms of their sociodemographic, behavioral characteristics, and traffic offense outcomes. Results: Nonprogressors represented 38 percent of the cohort and had different sociodemographic and behavioral profiles than progressors. A delay in progression was associated with reduced risk of being a traffic offender. The primary reasons reported for nonprogression were too lazy or busy or limited access to the means to drive. Conclusion: Before restricting how long a novice driver can hold a learner license, as has been suggested by the Ministry of Transport, consideration should be given to the potential increased risk of offending once unsupervised driving is permitted.

Language: en