Task 5
Studying Effects of COVID-19 on Young Drivers and Policy
The effect of COVID-19 on the safety of young drivers is not known; however, there are several indications that teens are being affected in negative ways. Several states, including North Carolina, have waived their road-test requirement for new drivers, meaning teens can become licensed without proving their driving competence in a real-world setting. It is also suspected COVID-19 has had a large impact on the amount of driving practice teens receive during the learner period because schools have been closed and most activities canceled. An additional issue posed by the pandemic is substantial delays in the licensing process for new drivers due to the closure of licensing offices and driver education classes being restricted or unavailable.
Five bills have been introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly to loosen restrictions currently in place for new drivers. This task will compile data to inform these policy decisions, which are likely to dramatically impact young drivers’ safety in the coming years.
Lead Researchers:
Natalie O’Brien, M.S.
Senior Research Associate, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
obrien@hsrc.unc.edu
View bio
Research Team
- Michael Clamann, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
- Arthur Goodwin, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
- Kari Hancock, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
- Stephanie Harrell, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
- Bevan Kirley, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
- Randa Radwan, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
- Kristel Robison, UNC Highway Safety Research Center
- Yudan Wang, North Carolina A&T State University
Reports/materials
Technical Brief 2: Initial Findings of the Effect of COVID-19 on Young Drivers in North Carolina
November 6, 2020 (PDF, 1.6 MB)
Technical Brief 4: The Effect of COVID-19 on Teen’s Driving Practice & Parent Approval for Proposed Changes to Licensing Requirements in North Carolina
April 26, 2021 (PDF, 1.3 MB)
