TY - JOUR
T1 - Do recommended driving limits affect teen-reported traffic violations and crashes during the first 12 months of independent driving?
AU - Simons-Morton, Bruce
AU - Hartos, Jessica L.
AU - Leaf, William A.
AU - Preusser, David F.
PY - 2006/9/1
Y1 - 2006/9/1
N2 - Objectives. Motor vehicle crashes are highly elevated among newly licensed teenage drivers. Limits on high-risk driving conditions by driver licensing policies and parents can protect novice teens from negative driving outcomes, while they experience and driving proficiency. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of strict parent-imposed driving limits on driving outcomes during the first year of licensure. Methods. A sample of 3,743 Connecticut teens was recruited and randomized to the Checkpoints Program or comparison condition. Assessments conducted at baseline, licensure, 3-, 6-, and 12-months postlicensure included parent-imposed driving limits, traffic violations, and crashes. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the effects of strict parent limits on traffic violations and crashes during the first year of licensure. Results. Thirty percent of teens reported at least one traffic violation and 40% reported at least one crash. More strict parent-imposed limits at licensure, 3-, 6-, and 12-months postlicensure, were associated with fewer violations and crashes in multivariate analyses. Notably, adherence to recommended night curfew was consistently associated with fewer violations and crashes. Conclusions. The findings indicate that strict parent-imposed limits may protect novice teen drivers from negative driving outcomes.
AB - Objectives. Motor vehicle crashes are highly elevated among newly licensed teenage drivers. Limits on high-risk driving conditions by driver licensing policies and parents can protect novice teens from negative driving outcomes, while they experience and driving proficiency. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of strict parent-imposed driving limits on driving outcomes during the first year of licensure. Methods. A sample of 3,743 Connecticut teens was recruited and randomized to the Checkpoints Program or comparison condition. Assessments conducted at baseline, licensure, 3-, 6-, and 12-months postlicensure included parent-imposed driving limits, traffic violations, and crashes. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the effects of strict parent limits on traffic violations and crashes during the first year of licensure. Results. Thirty percent of teens reported at least one traffic violation and 40% reported at least one crash. More strict parent-imposed limits at licensure, 3-, 6-, and 12-months postlicensure, were associated with fewer violations and crashes in multivariate analyses. Notably, adherence to recommended night curfew was consistently associated with fewer violations and crashes. Conclusions. The findings indicate that strict parent-imposed limits may protect novice teen drivers from negative driving outcomes.
KW - Accidents
KW - Adolescents
KW - Parenting
KW - Traffic Violations
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33749032402&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15389580600668842
DO - 10.1080/15389580600668842
M3 - Article
C2 - 16990238
AN - SCOPUS:33749032402
SN - 1538-9588
VL - 7
SP - 238
EP - 247
JO - Traffic Injury Prevention
JF - Traffic Injury Prevention
IS - 3
ER -