Study Raises Questions About Effectiveness of Teen Driving Laws

Handing over the car keys to a teenage driver has long been a source of stress for many parents. When looking at teen driving statistics, it’s no surprise why so many parents today are concerned for the safety of their teenager. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. The CDC also reports that in 2009, eight teens between the ages of 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries and per mile driven, were four times more likely than older drivers to crash.

In an effort to prevent teen car accidents and teen car accident-related injuries and fatalities, most states have graduated licensing programs. Graduated licensing programs prevent drivers under the age of 18 from being exposed to certain high-risk driving situations. But a recent study conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles Research and Development Branch in Sacramento raises questions about the effectiveness of licensing programs. Between 1986 and 2007, researchers examined data of more than 131,000 fatal crashes involving teen drivers from all 50 states. What researchers found was that although the states with stricter licensing programs saw a 26 percent reduction in fatal car crashes involving 16-year-old drivers, they experienced a 12 percent increase in fatal car crashes involving 18-year-old drivers. Researchers are not clear why the rate of fatal car accidents increased in states with stricter teen driving laws than states with fewer restrictions, but believe teens in these states may be waiting to turn 18 before applying for a license.

The state of California has one of the nation’s strictest licensing programs. Teens between the ages of 15 ½ to 17 ½ must complete a driver education class, hold a provisional learner’s permit for six months, complete six hours of professional driver training and complete 50 practice hours of driving with an adult aged 25 or older before they are allowed to apply for a provisional driver’s license.  For the first 12 months of holding a provisional driver’s license, teens cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and are not allowed to have passengers younger than 20. 

One of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) researchers believes strict teen driving laws should not just focus on teens under the age of 18, but target all teens, including 18 to 19-year-olds. Although some researchers feel laws involving older teens would be inappropriate (they are legally adults), others think the concept of easing 18 to 19-year-olds into driving would be beneficial. One thing researchers can agree on is that regardless of the state they live in, teenage drivers should be well informed of the driving laws that apply to them.

For more information on teen driving laws in California, visit the DMV website. For statistics regarding teen drivers, visit the CDC website. If you suffered a serious injury or tragic loss as a result of being involved in a teen driving accident, contact a Carlsbad personal injury attorney as soon as possible.