Young driver restrictions: does the evidence support them?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the suitability of Queensland's graduated licensing system in the context of rural and remote Queensland.


METHODS
Age-based comparison of crash data collected by the Rural and Remote Road Safety Study (RRRSS).


METHODS
Rural and remote North Queensland.


METHODS
A total of 367 vehicle controllers aged 16 years or over hospitalised at Townsville, Cairns or Mount Isa for at least 24 hours, or killed, as a result of a vehicle crash.


METHODS
Specific RRRSS variables are assessed in relation to Queensland's graduated licensing program, including rates of unlicensed driving/riding, late night crashes, crashes with multiple passengers, contributing factors in crashes and vehicle types involved.


RESULTS
While people between 16 and 24 years of age comprise 16% of the target population, 25% of crashes meeting RRRSS criteria involved a vehicle controller in that age group. 12.8% of all cases involved an unlicensed driver/rider, within which 66% were below 25 years of age. Young drivers/riders were represented in 50% of crashes occurring between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., and 33% of crashes in vehicles with multiple passengers. Motorcyclists represented about 40% of cases in both age groups. There were no significant differences between age groups in vehicle types used, or circumstances that contributed to crashes.


CONCLUSIONS
The general overrepresentation of young drivers/riders in rural and remote North Queensland supports tailored interventions, such as graduated licensing. However, while some measures in the legislation are well supported, problems surrounding unlicensed driving/riding might be exacerbated.
Blackman
Ross
R
Rural Health Research Unit, School of Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Cheffins
Tracy
T
Veitch
Craig
C
O'Connor
Teresa
T
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D018986:Motor Vehicles / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012449:Safety; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult