BC’s toughened graduated licensing program results in reduced fatalities/crashes

Since implementation, British Columbia’s stronger rules for the Graduated Licensing Program saved at least 31 lives and prevented 17,500 crashes involving new drivers in the three-years following the changes, said Solicitor General Kash Heed.
In 2003, BC enhanced its GLP by:
•    Extending the learner stage from six months to one year;
•    Extending the novice stage from 18 months to two years, with the provision the novice driver not have any driving prohibitions for 24 consecutive months;
•    Raising the supervisor age from 19 to 25 for learners; and
•    Restricting novice drivers to carrying one passenger unless accompanied by a supervisor, or unless the passengers are immediate family members.
ICBC examined crash rates before and after the changes to the GLP, and used comparison groups of other drivers to rule out demographics, weather or other external factors for the decrease in crashes.
In the first three years, the new driver crash rate dropped by almost 16%.
“This government toughened the rules for new drivers six years ago, and it has been a public safety success,” Heed said.
“The number of crashes dropped by 28%, and most importantly there were 4,000 fewer crashes with injuries.”