Beginner Driver Education (BDE) was implemented in Ontario to ensure the safety and driving competency of young and novice drivers, as well as to improve road safety for all drivers. Its main goal was to deliver a program that would help beginner drivers to develop a positive and responsible attitude towards driving. The program involves several mandatory modes of instruction including a minimum of 20 hours of classroom driving instruction, 10 hours of in-vehicle driving instruction, and 10 additional hours of flexible instruction (i.e., classroom, computer-based, in-vehicle, or driving simulator). To help encourage participation in the BDE program, drivers who completed a Ministry of Transportation, Ontario-approved program were eligible to reduce the amount of time spent in the 12-month minimum G1-licensing period by up to four months, as well as to receive reductions in insurance premiums. In an average year, more than half of G1 drivers participated in a BDE program and the Ministry estimates that between 55% and 67% of BDE participants obtain a time discount. Significant decreases in the average fatality rate of young drivers demonstrate that Ontario has been successful in improving young and novice driver safety within the past few decades. However, there is still room for improvement. Young drivers continue to be responsible for a disproportionate percentage of drivers killed on roads in Ontario. Even though programs and policies are implemented with the goal of decreasing these risks to the young driver population, very little is still known about their driving characteristics and behaviours. With this in mind, the objective of the current study was to help MTO determine the effectiveness of its BDE program by gaining a better understanding of young and new drivers. The three primary groups included in the study were: drivers who completed BDE and took a time discount; drivers who completed BDE without taking a time discount; and, drivers who did not complete BDE. To accomplish the objectives of this project, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation was contracted to survey young drivers in Ontario aged 16-19. The Young Driver Survey was designed to identify similarities and differences in the characteristics and behaviours of young and novice drivers categorized in terms of the three primary BDE subgroups. An online survey of G1 and G2 licensed drivers in Ontario was conducted to gather The survey questionnaire was carefully developed and tested to ensure the reliability and validity of the measures. The Young Driver Survey consisted of approximately 40-55 questions per participant, depending on their licence class and BDE status. As well, the online questionnaire took approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Univariate, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted using Stata statistical software to objectively evaluate specific driving characteristics, behaviours, and perceptions reported by young drivers, and to identify any differences among them. The questionnaire was designed to assess specific areas of interest within the young driver population. These areas included: driving and travel characteristics; licence class; amount of driving (with and without supervision); access to vehicle and public transportation options; parental or familial influences; motivations for participation in the BDE program; perceptions of risks for various driving abilities and behaviours; and, awareness of the Ministry’s public education tools targeted at young drivers. Differences across subgroups of the young driving population were also analyzed to determine the impact that factors, such as completing BDE or obtaining a time discount, had on the many driving behaviours and attitudes studied. The results of the Young Driver Survey revealed many distinct characteristics, attitudes and behaviours among the young driver population in Ontario. Key findings emerging from the study include: * The majority of young drivers believed that BDE improved their driving skills and made them a safer, more knowledgeable driver. * After completing BDE, young drivers rated their driving abilities and knowledge significantly higher than those who did not complete BDE. * The majority of young drivers reported accumulating between 0-20 hours of supervised driving practice in an average month during their G1 licence period. * Drivers who completed BDE and took a time discount were significantly more likely to accumulate more than 10 hours of supervised driving practice in an average month during the G1 licence period compared to drivers who did not complete BDE. * Drivers who completed BDE and took a time discount were found to be significantly more likely to engage in risky driving behaviours including: speeding; sending hand-held text messages; making hand-held phone calls; driving while tired; driving with teenage passengers; passing other cars because it was exciting; driving during rush hour; driving at night; driving in adverse weather conditions; and, driving on 400-series highways compared to other young drivers. * Drivers who completed BDE and took a time discount were found to be significantly more likely to drive: to school; to work; and, to practice driving compared to drivers who did not complete BDE. * Drivers who did not complete BDE were found to be significantly more likely to drive just to go for a drive (i.e., drive for fun) compared to drivers who completed BDE and took a time discount. * Drivers who completed BDE and took a time discount were significantly more likely to have unlimited use of a motor vehicle than drivers who completed BDE without taking a time discount and drivers who did not complete BDE. * Young drivers were more frequently exposed to high-risk traffic situations (e.g., rush hour driving, night-time driving, adverse weather conditions) during the G2 licence period as compared to the G1 licence period. * Almost half (45%) of G2 drivers reported accumulating additional supervised driving practice after obtaining their G2 licence. * Almost one-quarter (23%) of young drivers reported driving on 400-series highways during their G1 licence period, a behaviour that is prohibited during the G1 stage. * Almost one-quarter (23%) of young drivers reported driving unsupervised at some point during the G1 licence period, even though Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System (GLS) requires G1 drivers to have an experienced driver accompany them in the vehicle at all times while they are driving. * About half (52%) of G1 drivers indicated that their parents/guardians restricted the number of hours they had access to a vehicle, compared to 38% of G2 drivers. * Over 80% of young drivers’ parents have talked to them about issues relating to traffic safety including: drinking and driving; texting and driving; and, distracted driving. The results of the Young Driver Survey revealed several positive aspects of BDE. Overall, young drivers believed that they had greatly benefitted from the program, and showed increased confidence in their driving skills and abilities as a result. As well, young drivers who completed BDE and took a time discount were more likely to accumulate at least 10 hours of supervised driving practice, a proven safety measure, in the average month, compared to young drivers who did not complete BDE. This suggests that drivers who take a time discount may have had more motivation to practice driving, in order to receive their G2 licence earlier. However, results also revealed several areas within the program which may require further attention. As a whole, drivers who completed BDE and took a time discount showed much greater tendencies towards risk taking behaviours while driving during both the G1 and G2 licence periods. With this in mind, consideration should be given to young drivers who obtain their G2 licence earlier and reducing the amount of time spent under supervision. The issue of a time discount component as part of the GLS system should be reviewed given that those who choose to take a time discount were shown to be more likely than others to engage in risky behaviours. In other words, while the BDE program was associated with some positive outcomes for drivers who completed the course, they did not necessarily counterbalance the risks associated with reduced time spent in the protective G1 licence stage. Further consideration to enhance the BDE program, such as increasing the number of mandatory supervised driving hours, or promoting parental involvement and awareness of the risks associated with teen drivers, may also serve to benefit the program. Additionally, it was found that many young drivers do not adhere to the mandatory restrictions of the GLS program, such as the requirement to have a qualified supervising driver accompany them, or not driving on 400-series highways (i.e., a network of controlled access highways spanning southern Ontario), during their G1 licence period, suggesting the need for increased awareness and enforcement of these restrictions. Without compliance to the restrictions and rules of GLS, the safety benefits associated with driving under low-risk conditions during the G1 licence period may be compromised. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting