Teen License Laws
Until the mid-1990s, all it took for most teens to get their license was reaching their 16th birthday, a written exam and a road test. Teens were free to drive anywhere, any time with anyone. Although, times have changed. Now graduated driver 's license laws appear to be saving young lives.
States all over the U.S. are going to the graduated driving system. Although some people say it is unbeneficial, others beg to differ. Some say that laws that restrict 16-year-old drivers from carrying passengers and from driving at night help cut fatal accidents substantially. A study of death statistics in 43 states from 1994 to 2004 found that involvement of 16-year-olds in fatal crashes was 16 percent to 21 percent lower in states that had …show more content…
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, In 2001, car wrecks involving teen drivers cost taxpayers $42.3 billion for emergency services, medical and rehabilitation costs, productivity losses and property damage, Laws, even those that may be considered inadequate do decrease accident rates for teen drivers. In Florida, fatality and injury accidents among 15 to 17 year old drivers dropped after the law was adopted. California saw a 23 percent decline in fatal and at-fault injury accidents for 16-year-olds. Teen passenger deaths decreased by 40 percent after its GDL (graduated driving license) law went into effect.
California much like Oregon bans teens transporting anyone under the age of 20 for the first six months of their provisional licenses, unless accompanied by a parent or adult over 25. Teens can drive without supervision if the young passengers are family members, and a parent approves. GDL programs vary, but they all provide one important thing: more experience--especially needed before teens face high-risk situations, such as night driving and transporting other teens. Under GDL, teenagers drive for a longer period of time under adult supervision, thereby developing better driving skills and minimizing costly …show more content…
Under GDL, teens must now retain their permits for a longer period of time. In Connecticut, for instance, learners ' permits must be used at least six months before teens can progress to the second stage. At this intermediate step, only drivers with six consecutive months of crash-free driving receive provisional licensing. Teens may drive during daylight hours without supervision, but must be accompanied by an adult at night. At the end of this stage (from six months to a year), teens are issued full licenses--provided they have maintained excellent driving records for a minimum of six months, have not been convicted of any alcohol-related offenses, and, in some states, have completed advanced driver education.
As you can see it is highly beneficial for young drivers to partake in driver’s education courses. For a cost that may seem expensive at the time most would agree that it is definitely worth it. It teaches them to be more aware of their surroundings, be safer behind the wheel and most importantly help protect them against fatal
States all over the U.S. are going to the graduated driving system. Although some people say it is unbeneficial, others beg to differ. Some say that laws that restrict 16-year-old drivers from carrying passengers and from driving at night help cut fatal accidents substantially. A study of death statistics in 43 states from 1994 to 2004 found that involvement of 16-year-olds in fatal crashes was 16 percent to 21 percent lower in states that had …show more content…
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, In 2001, car wrecks involving teen drivers cost taxpayers $42.3 billion for emergency services, medical and rehabilitation costs, productivity losses and property damage, Laws, even those that may be considered inadequate do decrease accident rates for teen drivers. In Florida, fatality and injury accidents among 15 to 17 year old drivers dropped after the law was adopted. California saw a 23 percent decline in fatal and at-fault injury accidents for 16-year-olds. Teen passenger deaths decreased by 40 percent after its GDL (graduated driving license) law went into effect.
California much like Oregon bans teens transporting anyone under the age of 20 for the first six months of their provisional licenses, unless accompanied by a parent or adult over 25. Teens can drive without supervision if the young passengers are family members, and a parent approves. GDL programs vary, but they all provide one important thing: more experience--especially needed before teens face high-risk situations, such as night driving and transporting other teens. Under GDL, teenagers drive for a longer period of time under adult supervision, thereby developing better driving skills and minimizing costly …show more content…
Under GDL, teens must now retain their permits for a longer period of time. In Connecticut, for instance, learners ' permits must be used at least six months before teens can progress to the second stage. At this intermediate step, only drivers with six consecutive months of crash-free driving receive provisional licensing. Teens may drive during daylight hours without supervision, but must be accompanied by an adult at night. At the end of this stage (from six months to a year), teens are issued full licenses--provided they have maintained excellent driving records for a minimum of six months, have not been convicted of any alcohol-related offenses, and, in some states, have completed advanced driver education.
As you can see it is highly beneficial for young drivers to partake in driver’s education courses. For a cost that may seem expensive at the time most would agree that it is definitely worth it. It teaches them to be more aware of their surroundings, be safer behind the wheel and most importantly help protect them against fatal