This study will evaluate a New Jersey Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law, which requires probationary teen drivers to display a decal on the vehicle's license plate, making them easily identifiable to police, thereby making it easier for police to enforce the law's restrictions.
Kyleigh's Law, as it is now known, restricts the number of passengers less than 21 years of age allowed in the vehicle without parent accompaniment; bans driving during the hours between 11:01 pm and 5 am; bans driver use of interactive wireless communication devices; and requires seat belt use for all vehicle occupants. The team will analyze existing NJ licensing and citation data to compare the number and rate of citations issued to and number and rate of police-reported and fatal crashes involving NJ teen probationary drivers before and after the law went into effect.