Background

Differences between provisionally licensed drivers who always display P plates and those who do not

Dr Lyndel Bates, Professor Barry Watson, Dr Mark KingANZSOC

1-3 October 2013

Background• GDL reduces crash risk for novice drivers

(Ehsani et al, 2013)

• Further benefits of GDL are likely to result from:– Increased compliance with the system– Enhancing the ability of police to enforce (Curry

et al, 2013)

Background• Internationally, identifying a provisional

driver requires a traffic stop and license inspection (Goodwin & Foss, 2004)

• Australia is one of the few places that requires provisional drivers to display P plates

P Plates• P Plates designed to:

– Facilitate enforcement efforts– Improve compliance with GDL restrictions– Reduce risky driving and crashes (Haworth &

Senserrick, 2005)

• Unlikely to display voluntarily (Bates, 2012)

• New Jersey implemented a decal law in 2010 (Curry et al, 2013)

• Limited evaluation and no Australian evaluation (Curry et al, 2013; Williams et al, 2012)

NSW GDL systemNew South Wales Pre-July 2007

Learner Theory Test

Minimum age 16 years

Hold for a minimum of 6 months

Zero alcohol limit (if < 25 years)

Must be supervised

Must display L plates

Must record 50 hours of supervised practice in log book

Restricted to speeds 80km/hr or below

Unable to tow

Practical Driving Assessment

5

New South Wales Pre-July 2007Practical Driving Assessment

Provisional Licence P1

Minimum age 17 years

Must be held minimum 1 year (valid for 18 months)

Can incur 3 demerit points

Zero alcohol limit (< 25 years)

Limited to driving an automatic vehicle if tested in an automatic vehicle

Must display plates (red)

Restricted to speeds 90km/hr or belowAble to tow a maximum of 250kg

Hazard Perception Test

6

7

New South Wales Pre-July 2007

Hazard Perception Test

Provisional Licence P2

Must be held 2 years (valid for 3 years)

Zero alcohol limit (< 25 years)

Restricted to speeds 100km/hr or below

Must display plates (green)

Driver Qualification Test

Method• Recruited outside driver licensing centres

in NSW• Telephone interview after approximately

20 months driving experience• Completed between April and October

2008

Participants• 96 participants

– Male: 45 (46.9%)– Female: 51 (53.1%)

• Age: – M = 20.26– sd = 3.31 – Median = 19– Mode = 19

Type of provisional licence

P1P2

Access to a car

Own a carRegular accessLack access

Display of P plates

Always displayNot always display

Tow large items

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Obey vehicle power restriction

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

If lost licence, would not drive with passenger

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Drive after a couple of drinks

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Obey provisional speed limit

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Break the road rules if you know you won’t get caught

Not always display Always display1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Crashes and offences

Not always display Always display0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Caught committing of-fencesCrashed

Conclusions• Provisional drivers that display P plates

are more likely to:– Obey the provisional speed limit– Obey the road rules – even when they know

they won’t get caught• Possible that there are other differences

– Small numbers is a limitation

Further research• How do provisional drivers perceive police

enforcement?• Are parents enforcing GDL provisions?• How do police perceive their role in the

enforcement of provisional drivers?• What role do P plates play in facilitating

enforcement by police?  • What are the motivations for not wearing P

plates?

ReferencesBates, L. (2012). The Experiences of Learner Drivers, Provisional Drivers and

Supervisors with Graduated Driver Licensing in Two Australian Jurisdictions. (PhD), University of Technology, Brisbane.

Curry, A., Pfeiffer, M., Localio, R., & Durbin, D. (2013). Graduated Driver Licensing Decal Law : Effect on Young Probationary Drivers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44(1), 1-7.

Ehsani, J. P., Bingham, C. R., & Shope, J. T. (2013). Graduated Driver Licensing for new drivers: Effects of three states' policies on crash rates among teenagers. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 45(1), 9-18.

Goodwin, A. H., & Foss R. D. (2004). Graduated driver licensing restrictions: Awareness, compliance, and enforcement in North Carolina. Journal of Safety Research, 35(4), 367–374.

Haworth, N., & Senserrick, T. M. (2005). Review of literature regarding national and international young driver training, licensing and regulatory systems. Melbourne: Monash University Accident Research Centre.

Williams, A., Tefft, B., & Grabowski, D. C. (2012). Graduated driver licensing research, 2010-present. Journal of Safety Research, 43, 195-203.

Thank youQuestions?

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