The objective of this study was to quantify the number and percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes who have an invalid license or no license, updating the statistics reported in previous AAA Foundation studies. Previous research has found that unlicensed drivers and drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked are significantly more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than are validly-licensed drivers. AAA Foundation study Unlicensed to Kill (2000) reported that 13.8 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes between the years of 1993 and 1997 had no driver’s license, an invalid license, or was of unknown license status. Furthermore, the study found that fully one in five fatal crashes occurring between years 1993 and 1997 involved at least one such unlicensed or improperly licensed driver. In 2003, AAA Foundation report Unlicensed to Kill: The Sequel found that as of 1999, these statistics remained virtually unchanged. The purpose of the research reported here was to update these statistics using the most recent data available. The AAA Foundation analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database from years 2001 through 2005. FARS is a census of all motor vehicle traffic crashes involving a motor vehicle in transport occurring on a public roadway that result in the death of a person within 30 days of the crash. FARS provides detailed information on all such crashes, and all vehicles and people involved. This study presents analysis of the driver license status of all drivers involved in fatal crashes from 2001 through 2005. (Author/publisher)
Abstract