After GDL, What's Next? The Role of Peer Influence in Reducing Car Crashes Among Young Drivers

This paper reviews recent national crash trends for teenage drivers, examines graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws and their effect on fatal crash frequency, and highlights various studies on the effects of peer influence among young people. In addition, it describes the scope and success of Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS), a growing grassroots peer-to-peer safety program for young drivers in Texas, the design and content of which augment and complement GDL laws. The positive influence of GDL laws on teen traffic crashes is well documented. While GDL laws represent a useful component in an overall strategy to improve safety for novice drivers, they do not constitute a panacea in and of themselves. While GDL is important, additional strategies are needed to improve safety. In addition to effective laws, quality training, and meaningful parental involvement, positive peer pressure is an essential element in the solution mix. Experience in Texas strongly suggests that this peer-to-peer element-as demonstrated by TDS-can contribute significantly to lessening the frequency of teen driver crash fatalities and injuries.