1.7 GDL Intermediate License Violation Penalties
Use: High
Time: Medium
Overall Effectiveness Concerns: The few evaluations of early stand-alone probationary license systems generally found no substantial benefits (McKnight & Peck, 2003; Simpson, 2003). No recent evaluations have attempted to separate out the effect of penalties for GDL or other traffic law violations from the overall effects of GDL. There are insufficient evaluation data available to conclude that the countermeasure is effective.
A probationary feature is included in the intermediate phase of many graduated licensing systems, which is commonly referred to as contingent advancement. Typically, contingent advancement means that an intermediate license holder must maintain a violation free driving record for a specified amount of time before they can obtain a full license.
Use: Almost all States penalize some GDL or traffic law violations by delaying full licensure (IIHS & TIRF, 2004).
Effectiveness: The few evaluations of early stand-alone probationary license systems generally found no substantial benefits (McKnight & Peck, 2003; Simpson, 2003). No recent evaluations have attempted to separate out the effect of penalties for GDL or other traffic law violations from the overall effects of GDL.
An enforcement/education program dubbed Ticket Today = License Delay (the equal sign is not pronounced) highlighted the resulting delay in licensure for teenagers who are convicted of moving, seat belt, or GDL violations. Although teens and their parents clearly perceived the increased enforcement, the program had only minimal effects on seat belt use and compliance with GDL restrictions (Goodwin, Wells, Foss, & Williams, 2006). In general, it appears that awareness of penalties for license violations among parents and teens is relatively low, enforcement is rare, and licensing delays are not always applied even when violations are enforced (Goodwin & Foss, 2004; Steenbergen et al., 2001; Williams, 2007).
Costs: Once GDL is in place, penalties for violating its provisions can be changed at very little cost.
Time to implement: GDL requirement changes typically require about 6 months to notify the public and implement the changes.