NCJ Number
205279
Date Published
April 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This report examines the associations among binge drinking, heavy drinking, and driving under the influence (DUI) for drivers ages 15 to 17 by the restrictiveness of State graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws.
Abstract
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among persons ages 15 to 20, with crashes occurring at twice the rate among this age group compared with those over age 20. GDL laws attempt to address the high risks faced by new drivers by requiring them to begin driving under restricted, low-risk conditions. All 50 States use some form of GDL to reduce the crash risks for young drivers; however, States vary in the extent to which they restrict driving behavior by young drivers. More restrictive laws require new drivers to be accompanied by an adult and place requirements on driving hours and/or the number of passengers allowed in a car while the young driver is behind the wheel. Much of the data for the current study were derived from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which asks respondents about the quantity and frequency of their alcohol use in the past month, as well as problems or behaviors associated with their alcohol use, including DUI. This study found that during the years from 1999 to 2001, 21 percent of drivers ages 15 to 17 were binge drinkers, and 6 percent were heavy drinkers. Drivers ages 15 to 17 in States with the most restrictive GDL laws had lower rates of heavy drinking than those in States with the least restrictive laws. Also, drivers ages 15 to 17 in States with more restrictive GDL laws had lower rates of DUI than those in States with less restrictive laws. 1 table, 3 figures, and 7 notes