That's why traffic-safety advocates are urging states to adopt graduated drivers licensing (GDL) programs that ensure young drivers get that all-important road experience. GDL helps do this by phasing in the challenges young drivers face while mitigating risks.

For example, studies show that passengers create considerable distractions for drivers, drawing their mental and physical attention away from the job of driving. For teen drivers, the problem is especially acute, since they lack the experience that lets more seasoned drivers assess hazards quickly. Combining that inexperience with a car filled with passengers who draw an inexperienced driver's attention away from the road can spell disaster.

To learn more about how GDL programs affect safety, the AAA Foundation conducted a study into trends in New Jersey, the only state in the country that has a GDL program that requires drivers under 17 to drive with an adult in the car. New Jersey also has restrictions on both nighttime driving and how many passengers that drivers under 18 can carry.

Comparing crash data before and after New Jersey implemented its program demonstrates how big an impact GDL programs can have. Fatalities for 17-year-olds fell 25 percent as compared against crash rates of adults not affected by GDL. Crashes with injuries fell 14 percent, and total crashes decreased by 16 percent. At the same time, fatal crashes involving 18-year-olds fell 4 percent. The crash rate for that group also fell 4 percent.

The study also showed that keeping drivers with provisional licenses off the road at night has a big impact on fatality rates. Nighttime crashes fell 40 percent for incidents involving 17-year-olds and 17 percent for 18-year-olds after the state's GDL program commenced.

As the AAA Foundation's study demonstrates, setting teens up for success behind the wheel—and limiting factors that can create hazards for inexperienced drivers, including carrying passengers and driving at night—saves lives.

For tools that can help you turn your teen into a safe driver, visit www.AAAFoundation.org.

Back to Top

Teaching Our Young Drivers

Making Teens Safer Drivers

Although state laws regarding teen drivers vary, parents can implement their own graduated drivers licensing provision for their teens. Some ideas to consider:

• Limit passengers. Having passengers in the car—including friends, siblings and carpools— is a huge distraction for teen drivers.
• No unsupervised nighttime driving. Driving at night presents unique challenges, including dark roads and responding to other drivers, who are often tired—or even drunk. Inexperienced drivers aren't ready to take this on.
• Supervised practice. You can help your teens become safer drivers by going out on calm, supervised practice sessions with them. Talk about the risks you see and how safe drivers manage them.
• When you're driving, talk to teens about the situations you see and how you're responding. Be sure to model safe driving practices, too—stay off the phone, don't act aggressively, and focus your attention on the job of driving.
• Have your teen check out the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety's driver-ZED multimedia risk-management tool. It's a great way to get on-road risk-management experience from the safety of a computer.

Visit www.driverzed.org for more tips and information.

Back to Top