Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) Law Our 3rd category is “GDL Law” and these questions all have to do with the restrictions and requirements of the GDL law.

Connecticut has a Graduated Drivers’ License (GDL) system. GDL Law: Question 1 Connecticut has a Graduated Drivers’ License (GDL) system. What does this mean? Read the 1st question.

GDL Law A period of supervised driving before getting a basic driver license that introduces driving privileges in stages – providing an opportunity to gain experience and practice. There are risk factors for teen drivers – brain development, inexperience, night driving, high speed, teen passengers, alcohol/drugged driving, distraction, seatbelts, male risk – that the GDL addresses. Facts: Parts of the brain that are responsible for impulse control and risk assessment are not fully developed until mid-20s Teen inexperience leads to following too close; inadequate braking; lack of scanning for hazards 9pm to 5am is the deadliest period for teen drivers Speed is a major factor in teen crashes – slow down and keep appropriate following distance With even one teen passenger the risk of a crash for a teen driver skyrockets Being a passenger in a vehicle with a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs substantially increase a teen’s risk of being involved in a fatal crash Distractions divert you from cognitive, visual and manual tasks and is a factor in 58% of all teen crashes Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death by 45%; nationally, only 55% of teens report “always” wearing a seatbelt The teen male death rate is 2x that of females

Name one restriction placed on a driver with a probationary license. GDL Law: Question 2 Name one restriction placed on a driver with a probationary license. Read the 2nd question.

GDL Law Restricted License Phase What risk does this address? 11pm to 5am driving curfew Nighttime driving, brain development No mobile electronic devise use Distraction, inexperience No passengers for the first 6 months except parents Distraction, passengers, inexperience No passengers in the second 6 months except for immediate family All passengers, no matter the age or where they are seated, must wear a seatbelt Seatbelts, inexperience, brain development Instant 48-hour license suspension for passenger, curfew, drinking, speeding and reckless driving High speed, brain development, distraction Connecticut Graduated Driver Licensing Provisions   Minimum age: 16 years old Learner stage duration: 4 months with driver's ed; 6 months without driver's ed. Required supervised driving hours: 40 hours. Completed 30 hours of classroom instruction, and parent/legal guardian must take a 2 hour course. Nighttime driving restriction: 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Passenger restriction: (family members are exempt unless otherwise noted) No passengers except for parents and/or instructor during the first 6 months; No passengers except for immediate family and/or instructor during the second 6 months Minimum age for full-privilege driving: Full passenger privileges at 17 years and 4 months old; Full nighttime privileges at 18 years old

GDL Law: Question 3 True or False? A parent/legal guardian must take a 2-hour driving safety course as part of the GDL. Read the 3rd question.

GDL Law TRUE Parents who actively manage their teen’s driving experience reduce their teen’s crash risk. The purpose of the training is to explain why teen driving is so dangerous, let parents know what they can do to reduce their teen’s risk, and to motivate parents to take action by using the tools provided in the class.

GDL Law: Question 4 Since the strengthening of the CT GDL Law in 2008, the reduction in novice driver fatalities has been: 15% 31% 64% Read the 4th question.

GDL Law In CT, since the strengthening of the GDL law in 2008, there has been a reduction in novice driver fatalities by: C. 64% Do GDL Systems Really Reduce Crashes and Save Lives? Yes! In Connecticut there has been an 84-percent drop in 16-17 year old fatalities since 2004. Since the strengthening of the GDL law in 2008, there has been a 64-percent reduction in novice driver fatalities. Connecticut has a long history of GDL involvement and is considered a national leader in this area. The first licensing restrictions were passed in 1997 with the requirement of a learner's permit. In 2004, passenger restrictions were put in place followed by nighttime driving restrictions in 2005. Finally, in 2008 after a series of high profile tragedies, more enhancements were added, including the parental course requirement and the 48 hour suspension for violation of any GDL requirement. In 1997, the first full year of its GDL system, Florida experienced a 9% reduction in fatal and injury crashes for 15-17 year-olds, compared with 1995. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1999) Researchers examined GDL systems implemented in 1997 in Michigan and North Carolina, which were considered among the country's most comprehensive programs. Comparing 1999 with 1996 data, crashes involving 16-year-old drivers decreased by 25% in Michigan and 27% in North Carolina. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001) In California, the alcohol-related crash rate of 16-year-olds dropped 16 percent in the first year after the GDL law took effect and 13 percent in the second year when compared with the crash rate of 16-year-olds before the law was in place. (Automobile Club of Southern California, 2002) In California, teenage passenger deaths and injuries resulting from crashes involving 16-year-old drivers declined by 40 percent statewide from 1998 through 2000, the first three years of the program. In addition, the number of at-fault collisions involving 16-year-old drivers decreased by 24 percent. (Automobile Club of Southern California, 2001) Oregon's GDL system was particularly effective with male teen drivers. Those who completed the GDL system experienced 16% fewer crashes during their first year of driving compared to those who had not received their license under the GDL system. (NHTSA, 1998) Across the U.S., teen crashes have been reduced by 20-50% as a result of GDL laws.

Q & A

Thank You! 200 Day Hill Road, Suite 250 Windsor, CT 06095 Office 860.219.0291 Helpline 800.278.8242 general@biact.org BIACT.org Thank You! “I want to thank you for participating. I hope we’ve learned a few strategies for preventing brain injury and staying safe. Now if we can learn the results of the game.” Ask the scorekeeper to tell you the final score. Congratulate the winning team (or both teams if there is a tie) and tell everyone that we are all winners because we learned some new tips for being safer. Pass out giveaways if you have them and thank everyone for coming.