Indiana Traffic Safety Facts: Drivers 2010

Abstract

CCJR reports that, despite a resurgence of road travel in the last 18 months, driver fatal crash rates have decreased in Indiana and nationwide. Declines were most pronounced among teen drivers, especially due to implementation of a Graduated Driver Education (GDL) system in July 2009 and in 2010. Fatal crash rates for drivers ages 18 to 24 also decreased; rates for older drivers have remained relatively constant since 2000.. Additionally, CCJR researchers have linked Indiana crash data with driver history data, made available by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). For each driver involved in Indiana crashes, the BMV provides a history of citations issued and changes in driver license status going back five years prior to the crash. These data reveal significant results on the effects of “problem” drivers in Indiana traffic crashes. Compared to drivers with little to no record of previous traffic violations, habitual traffic violators, drivers with suspended licenses, and drivers with revoked or no licenses are more likely to cause crashes that result in serious injury and loss of life.