New Zealand drivers study: developing a methodology for conducting a follow-up study of newly licensed drivers.
OBJECTIVE
In recent years, there has been a significant reduction in traffic crash injury among young people, but they continue to be overrepresented in the traffic crash statistics. To improve this situation, sound scientific evidence is needed to develop effective policies and programs.


METHODS
The aim of the proposed study is to provide this evidence by examining early driving and driving-related experiences of newly licensed drivers as they progress through the learner-, restricted-, and full-license stages of the graduated licensing system and to determine the impact of these experiences on subsequent negative traffic-related outcomes (risky driving behavior, injury traffic crashes, noninjury traffic crashes, infringements, convictions). Given the size and complexity of the proposed study, a comprehensive pilot study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of conducting a New Zealand-wide cohort study of newly licensed drivers.


RESULTS
This article describes the pilot study process and the methodology that has been developed for the New Zealand-wide study.
Begg
Dorothy
D
Injury Prevention Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. dorothy.begg@ipru.otago.ac.nz
Brookland
Rebecca
R
Hope
Jason
J
Langley
John
J
Broughton
John
J
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012106:Research