In February 2005, AAMVA convened a working group comprised of motor vehicle agency representatives, law enforcement professionals, judges, prosecutors, researchers and highway safety professionals from National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to discuss and map out what needs to be done to address the problem of driving while suspended. The working group determined that not enough was known about the depth and breadth of the issue and that research was needed to more fully understand the changing relationship between license suspension, reasons for suspension and highway safety outcomes. A study was commissioned in response to the working group’s call for additional research.
The analysis conducted through the Suspended & Revoked study provided a baseline for further discussion by the AAMVA suspended/revoked driver working group. The research results point to differences between the two groups when considering driving behavior. Overall, the analysis provides information to administrators and safety experts indicating the two groups of suspended drivers differ on multiple dimensions. We have shed some light on the fact that violation recidivism and crash involvement vary between the groups and that driving violations after suspension are more pronounced for those suspended for driving reasons. However, more research may be needed before drawing definitive conclusions.
Download the study here.