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Emerging Traffic Safety Issues: Adolescent Drivers

C. Raymond Bingham

University of MichiganTransportation Research InstituteSocial and Behavioral Analysis Division

rbingham@umich.edu

Motor vehicle crash is the leading cause of death and injury among teens.

Rates.

Changes.

How does MI stacks up?

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Background

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Today’s Topics

1. What makes adolescents different?

2. Why do teens drive the way they do?

3. Should we all just get off the road, orcan teens be safe drivers?

What Makes Adolescents Different?

Brain Development

• Teenagers’ brains are different.

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• Maturation continues.

• Overproduction of gray matter.

• Brain undergoes “pruning.”

• Myelination occurs.

What Makes Adolescents Different?

Brain Development

• Process information differently(Yurgelun-Todd, 2002).

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• Frontal lobes less active.

• Amygdala more active.

• Affects insight, reasoning power, self-control, judgment, emotions, and organization.

Brain Development

• Activity influences

brain development

(Giedd et al., 1999;

http://www.human.cornell.edu/actfory

outh/pdf/may02factsheetadolbrainde

v.pdf).

What Makes Adolescents Different?

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What Makes Adolescents Different?

Other Developmental Factors

• Reproductive organs mature.

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• Rapid hormonal changes.

• Sexual attraction increases.

• Peers gain in importance.

• Individual identity development.

Why Do Teens Drive Like That?

Inexperience

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Distractibility

Why Do Teens Drive Like That?

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Poor Judgment

Why Do Teens Drive Like That?

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Acquiring Driving Skills

Why Do Teens Drive Like That?

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Can Teens Be Safe Drivers?

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

1. Reduce risk in learning phase;

These objectives match needs of the These objectives match needs of the developing adolescent brain.developing adolescent brain.

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3. Increase complexity gradually;

4. Harsh penalties for deliberate risk-taking.

2. Extend supervised practice;

GDL Effectiveness

Can Teens Be Safe Drivers?

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1- Clear reduction in offenses/crashes during Level 1.

2- Less clear whether reduction is maintained beyond Level 1.

3- UMTRI currently researching outcomes of GDL in Level 2.

GDL Augmentations

Can Teens Be Safe Drivers?

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1- Increase privileges in smaller steps.

2- Advancement contingent on individual driving performance.

3- Impose more restrictions, such as restrictions on passengers.

4- Stronger penalties, such as demotion.

Can Teens Be Safe Drivers?

Check Points

1. Bruce Simmons-Morton

2. Intervention to help parents with teen drivers.

3. Has been implemented in Connecticut and Maryland.

4. UMTRI will be testing it in Michigan.

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Teen Safety Belt Use

1. Teens poorest users of safety belts.

2. Need a better understanding of the reasons for non-use by teens.

3. Special initiatives targeting teens.

4. Programs that are tailored to reach teens.

Can Teens Be Safe Drivers?

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• Adolescents are different.

• Have different needs.

• Programs that address teens at their developmental level are more likely to succeed.

• Teens should include their parents in the process of learning to drive.

Conclusion

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