The New Zealand government allows young drivers to reduce the amount of time spent on their restricted licence from 18 months to 12 months if they complete an approved course, such as a defensive driving course. Is this policy appropriate, based on research evidence, and why?
A. No, because the DeKalb study showed that driver training results in poorer safety outcomes.
B. No, because accelerating licensure (time discounts) has been consistently associated with increased violations and crash risk.
C. Yes, because drivers need to learn procedural skills to be safe on the roads.
D. No, because other forms of driver training may be more appropriate than defensive driving.
Answer: B