Authors
Foss, R; Smith, R.; Shi, F.; O’Brien, N.
Publisher
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Website Section
Driver Behaviors
Methods
Quasi-experimental study and crash analyses
Abstract
This study examined the hypothesis that a later high school start time may reduce crash rates by reducing the interference of school start time with the sleep needs of adolescents. Researchers collected data from two jurisdictions in North Carolina and Kentucky that changed to substantially later high school start times. The study examined whether these changes were accompanied by a decline in crash rates among 16- and 17-year-old drivers. Monthly time series were compiled corresponding to the overall rate of crashes on school days, adjusted for the 16- and 17-year-old population. The researchers found there was no evidence of a statistically significant change in crash rates.
Reference
Foss, R; Smith, R.; Shi, F.; O’Brien, N. (2015) School Start Times and Teenage Driver Motor Vehicle Crashes. DOT HS 812 221. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Related Topics
Drowsy driving, asleep, sleeping, drowsy, school start times, wake up, sleepy, tired
