Graduated License Law for Teens Reduces Fatal Car Accidents

From 2000 to 2009, more than 81,000 people including teen drivers were killed in car accidents in the United States (US).

To reduce incidents of fatal accidents in the US, some states regulate a comprehensive Graduated License Law. Specifically, this law focuses on teen drivers.

The Graduated License Law is intended to help teen drivers to gain experience under supervised and less risky conditions before obtaining an unrestricted license. Under the law, nighttime driving is restricted, passenger is limited, mobile phones and texting is banned and behind the wheel driving time is mandatory.

Teen drivers must be 16 years old to be able to secure a learner’s permit while for the restricted license; teen driver must be 18 years of age.

In some states with comprehensive Graduated License Law like New York, Delaware and Rhode Island, a greater reduction of fatal car accidents occurs than in some states with the least comprehensive laws like Mississippi, South Dakota and North Dakota.

Based on the study conducted by the National Safety Council, during their investigation from 1991 to present, a 38% reduction from the numbers of fatal car accidents involving teen drivers was seen in the states with the most comprehensive Graduated License Laws.

The study also concluded that apart from the great reduction in fatal car accidents involving teen drivers, the Graduated License Law can also save $13.6 billion of the estimated $38.3  nation’s lost to car accidents involving teens if such law will be strictly implemented in every states.

Those expenditures come from wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, administrative expenses for insurances, legal fees, vehicle damage and more.

This Graduated License Laws initially aims to prevent fatal car accidents involving teens as well as to reduce economic costs. May the success of this comprehensive law in some states serve as an inspiration to others. Such car accident laws and issues concerning the safety of motorist should be given proper consideration is all states.