Reports of the driver’s non-compliance with the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) requirements prompted letters to the local newspapers. Some people objected to the use of the story as an example of what not to do. Others pointed to the fact that this type of event – young people, fast cars and death – has been a repeated scenario down the years.

 

The Road Rules column at the time, referred to the GLP Interim Evaluation Report—Year 3 at www.icbc.com under “Library — Research”. This report states:

 

       “…despite a slight reduction in casualty crash rates, the GLP Novice stage has   

       contributed little to the overall reduction observed in the new driver crash involvement 

       rate of GLP drivers. Instead, it is likely that the primary factor contributing to the

       observed reduction is the extended Learner stage associated with GLP.” (Section 

       5.6.3).

 

The suggestion appears to be that all the safety benefits achieved by the program come from keeping new drivers at the highly restricted L for Learner stage for a prolonged period of time.

 

In another report, a Vancouver Sun columnist went to another source in his own teenager and her friends to find out their thoughts on the program. He reportedly heard that peer pressure, the “teen affliction” which the program is meant to address, is also the main reason for extensive non-compliance with the program. But he also learned that non-compliance sometimes stems from Novice drivers assisting intoxicated friends (who have disobeyed liquor or drug laws) by (illegally) driving them home.

 

Then, two months later the tragedy was repeated in Nanaimo. At 10 pm on March 15, a sedan crossed the centre lane of the two-lane Hammond Bay Road, collided with a low retaining wall, flipped end over end and landed on its wheels in a residential driveway. The car was being driven by an “N” designated teen driver. Two of the five teens inside were ejected. A 15-year old and two 18-year olds died. The driver aged 19 and a 17-year old passenger were both reported to be seriously injured. Speeding, alcohol and drugs have been suggested as factors. Based on reports of ejection from the vehicle, it appears that one or more of the teens may not have been wearing seatbelts.

 

Teenage use of vehicles as a high-speed alternative form of entertainment, is terrifying for everyone. Against this background it we can expect that the N for Novice stage will soon be reviewed from an enforcement perspective.