The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), in partnership with the National Safety Council (NSC), with sponsorship from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has completed the third phase in a continuing project designed to improve young driver safety. The GDL Framework Safety Center is a web-based resource that offers a comprehensive approach to young driver safety and contains relevant research and best practices from the United States, Canada and abroad. This resource can help states identify which GDL Framework features are most relevant to reduce crashes among young drivers. It is accompanied by a suite of practical tools and resources to help state agencies and stakeholders strengthen young driver safety programs.
This resource was the third phase in a multi-phase project. The objective of Phase 1 was to review the scientific evidence associated with young driver programs and consider the various facets of an effective GDL program. In addition, opportunities to integrate other proven and promising strategies to better protect young drivers throughout their first years of driving in a more comprehensive way were examined. International experts representing researchers and road safety practitioners from the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Australia met in June 2014 to undertake this review, and the Phase 1 report was released in January 2015.
The Phase 2 report focused on strategies to assist jurisdictions with implementing the GDL Framework. This implementation plan was based on a survey of initiatives aimed at enhancing GDL and teen driver safety in 28 US states and 8 Canadian provinces. The survey results were shared during a 2-day International Symposium involving more than 50 road safety professionals. Emerging from this symposium was a high-level implementation plan that could support the efforts of jurisdictions to improve young driver safety. The Phase 2 report entitled, “A New GDL Framework: Planning for the Future,” was released in November 2016.
About TIRF
The Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) develops and shares the knowledge that saves—preventing injuries and loss of life on the roads, reducing related social, health and insurance costs, and safeguarding productivity. TIRF is the Canadian source for international research related to the human causes and effects of road crashes, providing objective and scientific information to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of road safety programs, effective advocacy, and consultation.
TIRF is Canada’s road safety research institute. It is a world leader in research, program and policy development, evaluation, and knowledge transfer. TIRF focuses on the people that use our roads and behaviours that result in driver error and account for more than 90% of road crashes. Established as a registered charity, TIRF is an independent road safety research institute governed by a Board of Directors representing the public and private sectors in Canada. TIRF is funded by grants and contracts that are earmarked for specific projects, and sustaining donations to provide services to public and private sectors.
About NSC
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact—distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.