The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) has published a new report: “A New GDL Framework: Planning for the Future” to help states implement Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL).
This Phase 2 report focuses on the implementation of the GDL Framework and is part of a continuing series of initiatives designed to improve young driver safety. TIRF and the National Safety Council (NSC) have also announced Phase 3 of the project, which begins later this year.
TIRF published the Phase 1 report in January 2015, in partnership with the NSC, and with the cooperation of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It presented an evidence-based Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Framework that aimed to integrate programs with other best practice strategies to keep young drivers safe on the road, such as driver education, licensing testing and in-vehicle monitoring technologies.
The new Phase 2 report contains a roadmap to help states create an implementation strategy for the Framework. Phase 2 involved a survey of initiatives aimed at enhancing GDL and teen driver safety in 28 US states and 8 provinces in Canada. The survey results were then shared as a basis for discussion at a two-day International Symposium that involved more than 50 traffic safety professionals.
The results of the survey and the Symposium were summarized to identify the GDL components that have the greatest potential for success. The Phase 2 report provides a solid basis for jurisdictions to pursue improvements to existing young driver programs and adopt evidence-based practices.
TIRF and NSC have thanked NHTSA, The Allstate Foundation, The Toyota Foundation and Nationwide Insurance for their support to make this initiative possible.
Phase 3 of the project is slated to begin this Fall, and tackles the development and pilot of practical tools and resources, combined with a technical assistance strategy, to further support state efforts to improve safety among young drivers.
