UMTRI Emerging Traffic Safety Issues: Adolescent Drivers C. Raymond Bingham University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Social and Behavioral Analysis Division

Motor vehicle crash is the leading cause of death and injury among teens. Rates. Changes. How does MI stacks up? UMTRI Background

In 2002, young drivers ages represented: 6.6% of all drivers, 16% of all the drivers involved in police- reported crashes, and. 14% of all the drivers involved in fatal crashes. UMTRI Rates Compared to All Drivers

UMTRI DOT HS Changes in Past Decade

UMTRI DOT HS Comparison of Men and Women

Michigan: over last decade Numbers of teen drivers increased 5.8%; UMTRI Comparison to Michigan Crashes decreased 9.2% (2002 Michigan Traffic Crash Facts). Differences between men and women have narrowed.

UMTRI Today’s Topics 1.What makes adolescents different? 2.Why do teens drive the way they do? 3.Should we all just get off the road, or can teens be safe drivers?

What Makes Adolescents Different? Brain Development Teenagers’ brains are different. UMTRI Maturation continues. Overproduction of gray matter. Brain undergoes “pruning.” Myelination occurs.

What Makes Adolescents Different? Brain Development Process information differently (Yurgelun-Todd, 2002). UMTRI Frontal lobes less active. Amygdala more active. Affects insight, reasoning power, self-control, judgment, emotions, and organization.

Brain Development Activity influences brain development (Giedd et al., 1999; /pdf/may02factsheetadolbraindev.pdf). What Makes Adolescents Different? UMTRI

What Makes Adolescents Different? Other Developmental Factors Reproductive organs mature. UMTRI Rapid hormonal changes. Sexual attraction increases. Peers gain in importance. Individual identity development.

Why Do Teens Drive Like That? Inexperience UMTRI

Distractibility Why Do Teens Drive Like That? UMTRI

Poor Judgment Why Do Teens Drive Like That? UMTRI

Acquiring Driving Skills Why Do Teens Drive Like That? UMTRI

Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) 1.Reduce risk in learning phase; These objectives match needs of the developing adolescent brain. UMTRI 3.Increase complexity gradually; 4.Harsh penalties for deliberate risk-taking. 2.Extend supervised practice;

GDL Effectiveness Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? UMTRI 1-Clear reduction in offenses/crashes during Level 1. 2-Less clear whether reduction is maintained beyond Level 1. 3-UMTRI currently researching outcomes of GDL in Level 2.

GDL Augmentations Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? UMTRI 1-Increase privileges in smaller steps. 2-Advancement contingent on individual driving performance. 3-Impose more restrictions, such as restrictions on passengers. 4-Stronger penalties, such as demotion.

Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? Check Points 1.Bruce Simmons-Morton 2.Intervention to help parents with teen drivers. 3.Has been implemented in Connecticut and Maryland. 4.UMTRI will be testing it in Michigan. UMTRI

Teen Safety Belt Use 1.Teens poorest users of safety belts. 2.Need a better understanding of the reasons for non-use by teens. 3.Special initiatives targeting teens. 4.Programs that are tailored to reach teens. Can Teens Be Safe Drivers? UMTRI

Adolescents are different. Have different needs. Programs that address teens at their developmental level are more likely to succeed. Teens should include their parents in the process of learning to drive. Conclusion UMTRI