Graduated Laws Help Parents Promote Safer Driving

Are teens really as dangerous behind the wheel as their reputation suggests? The answer is yes, especially during their first year on the road. More than 4,000 kids between the ages of 13 and 19 died in vehicle crashes in 2008. Tragically, motor vehicle crashes are still the single largest cause of death in that age group.¹

It’s tempting to say that teen drivers are reckless and irresponsible, but in reality a majority of teen accidents are the result of simple inexperience and immaturity. During the last decade, graduated driver licensing (GDL) has been adopted by many states in an attempt to provide drivers aged 15 to 17 with more practice, to rein in risky behavior, and to save young lives.

While stronger laws provide a framework to improve the skills of young drivers, parents are a key factor in their success. Here’s a look at how GDL programs are working to cut fatalities and how parents can help provide the encouragement, oversight, and enforcement necessary to raise safe drivers.

Stricter Rules Address Real Risks

GDL is typically a three-stage program that creates a protective environment while new drivers are still learning to operate a vehicle.

Stage one is the permit stage, which specifies a set number of hours of supervised practice and a set amount of time (often six months) before the license to drive solo may be granted. Stage two is the provisional period in which peer passengers are limited or banned altogether and late-night driving is restricted. Other restrictions such as banning phones and other electronic devices may be included in this phase. Stage three is a full, unrestricted license.

The good news is that phasing in teen driving privileges has been proven to reduce accidents and the fatalities that often result. In states that adopted GDL programs, crash rates declined from 10 to 30 percent.²

State Rules, So Far

The rules related to the licensing of teen drivers still differ widely from state to state, and they are revised regularly in response to new research and activism on the part of citizens and concerned groups.

As recently as February 2010, laws in the state of New York increased the mandated number of supervised practice hours from 20 to 50. In addition, junior (or provisional) license holders are now allowed only one non-family peer passenger.³ In some other states with graduated licensing, such as California, provisional drivers under 18 are not allowed to transport any peer passengers in the first year.⁴

In April 2009, the STANDUP Act, which proposes federal guidelines for the licensing of new drivers, was introduced in Congress. No action has been taken to date, and it is unknown whether any version of this legislation will ever be passed.⁵

Parental Enforcement

Stronger laws help, but parents play the most critical role when it comes to holding young drivers accountable. Here are some tips on how you can influence good driving habits and keep your child and others safe on the road.

• Know the current laws in your state and require your child to abide by them, even if it is sometimes inconvenient. Driver distraction is a frequent cause of teen accidents, and limiting peer passengers has been proven to reduce those distractions and the likelihood of an accident.⁶
• Don’t feel limited to your state’s laws if they seem weak relative to other states. You can also create your own rules as suggested by AAA and other advocates of GDLs. It’s safest not to let your child drive his or her peers for the first year, and not to allow your child to be a passenger of other new drivers. It’s also a good idea to restrict late-night driving.
• Communicate. Talk regularly with your teen about what you expect when she or he is behind the wheel, and discuss your guidelines with other parents so you can work together to keep your kids safe.
• Be authoritative, and resolve to take away driving privileges for a period of time if necessary to correct reckless behavior.
• A formal, written agreement between you and your teen will prompt discussion, create accountability, and let your child know you are serious about his or her safety. AAA has a good agreement available on its Web site, or you can fashion one yourself that expresses your expectations and the consequences of poor decision making.

Adding a teen driver to your insurance policy is likely to affect your premium. By monitoring your teen’s progress and requiring adherence to the rules, you can help him or her ease into driving privileges more carefully.

1, 5) Chicago Tribune, February 23, 2010
2, 4, 6) Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2009, 2010
3) New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, 2010

The information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2010 Emerald.