Organisation: Cardiff University (Dr Sarah Jones)
Date uploaded: 22nd September 2011
Date published/launched: October 2010
This report analyses the high proportion of young driver crashes and looks into how the introduction of a Graduated Driver Licensing system could reduce this type of crash.
• GDL ‘adds’ an intermediate phase between the learner licence and the full driving licence. In countries where GDL is in place, there tends to be a minimum learner period of 6 to 12 months, which is exited with the learner test.
• Learners who pass the test then enter the intermediate phase. The intermediate phase grants more permissions than the learner phase, but not as many as the full licence phase.
• As an intermediate driver, permission is granted to drive without supervision, but not at night and not with passengers. The supervised intermediate (supervisor being a fully licenced driver, who is not permitted to consume alcohol) may carry passengers and drive at night.
• The intermediate phase does not grant permission to drive after consuming any alcohol. The intermediate phase may last up to two and a half years.
The report concludes that young driver crashes appear to be increasing in number and that Graduated Driver Licensing has the potential to save lives.
Graduated driver licensing has been shown in many countries to be effective at reducing young driver crashes, and works by reducing exposure of new young drivers to high risk situations.
For more information contact:
Dr Sarah J Jones