Can Adolescent Drivers' Motor Vehicle Crash Risk Be Reduced by Pre-Licensure Intervention?

Abstract

Purpose: Although motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for adolescents, there is a scarcity of research addressing adolescents' lack of pre-licensure practical driving experience, which is theorized to increase their post-licensure crash risk.

Methods: Utilizing police-reported crashes and survey data from a randomized and quasi-randomized trial (n = 458 adolescents, 16 or 17 years of age at enrollment), the impact of a parent-directed supervised practice driving intervention and a comprehensive on-road driving assessment (ODA) with feedback was evaluated on adolescent drivers' motor vehicle crashes involvement.

Results: Compared with the control condition, a nonsignificant 20% relative reduction in risk was observed for the parent-directed intervention: adjusted hazard ratio = .80 (95% confidence interval [CI] .44, 1.43); the unadjusted absolute risk reduction was 1.1% (95% CI -4.4, 7.1). Exposure to the ODA resulted in an 53% relative reduction of risk: adjusted hazard ratio = .47 (95% CI .24, .91); the unadjusted absolute risk reduction was 5.4% (95% CI -.3, 10.7).

Conclusions: Comprehensive ODA might be protective for adolescents; however, additional research is needed.

Keywords: Adolescence; Expertise; Graduated driver licensing; Motor vehicle crashes; Teen drivers.