494
Views
27
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Licensing Age and Teenage Driver Crashes: A Review of the Evidence

Pages 9-15 | Received 07 Aug 2008, Accepted 22 Sep 2008, Published online: 19 Feb 2009
 

Abstract

Objectives: To discuss the variation in licensing ages around the world and summarize what is known about the effects of differing age limits.

Methods: Review of the international literature on the rationale for establishing licensing ages, debates about the justification for higher or lower minimum ages, safety effects of higher minimums, mobility consequences, public opinion, and recent attempts to raise licensing ages.

Results: Minimum licensing ages vary from 14 to 18 years old. Early licensing countries have reduced the young driver problem through graduated licensing systems, but consideration is now being given to increasing the licensing age. The available evidence indicates that this would further reduce young driver crashes. There are mobility consequences that are difficult to quantify. In New Jersey, which has long been the one U.S. state with a 17-year-old licensing age, the delay in licensing appears to have minimal effects on lifestyles of 16-year-olds. Public opinion in the United States favors licensing ages higher than 16.

Conclusions: In debates about higher licensing ages, jurisdictions are deciding how they want to balance safety and mobility. From a safety standpoint, New Jersey, with its combination of higher licensing age and strong graduated licensing provisions, is the model.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author gratefully acknowledges the helpful comments from Adrian Lund and Anne McCartt of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This work was supported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Notes

*Includes those who chose ages between 16 and 17 and between 17 and 18.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 61.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 331.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.