Report Confirms that
Tough Teen Driving Laws Save Lives

A nationwide push to bump the minimum driving age to 17 and tighten teen restrictions recently got a boost from a federal report offering strong evidence that tough licensing laws save lives.

State laws that prevent 16-year-olds from driving alone, require more time behind the wheel and limit teen passengers are working to cut fatalities, according to the report released in July by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report showed that states with the toughest teen licensing laws reduced deaths for 16-year-olds by up to 21 percent. Even less rigid laws, such as those that simply impose night or passenger restrictions, reduced fatal crashes among 16-year-old drivers by 11 percent, according to the report.

These so-called “graduated driver licensing” laws differ in each state and this study showed which programs were most effective in reducing risk. The study was conducted at Johns Hopkins, where researchers used data from 1994-2004 in 36 states with graduated driver licensing programs and seven without. Standards for teen drivers included:

• Being at least 15½ to get a learner’s permit
• Waiting three months before getting an intermediate license
• Driving while supervised for at least 30 hours
• Turning 16 before applying for an intermediate license
• Receiving a full license at 17
• Limiting nighttime driving
• Restricting the number of passengers

Comparing states with five program components to states without graduated driver licensing programs, the researchers reported an 18 percent difference in fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. Programs with six or seven components saw a 21 percent reduction.

The researchers also found a 16-21 percent drop in fatal crashes when programs included an age requirement and a waiting period of at least three months before allowing teens to apply for their intermediate license. They concluded that the most comprehensive graduated driver licensing programs result in the best reduction of fatal crashes of 16-year-old drivers.

“This study strongly underscores the effectiveness of graduated licensing laws,” said Nichole Nason, NHSTA administrator. “To states searching for solutions to the tragic problem of fatal crashes involving teenagers, it provides extremely valuable new information.”

Research shows that young drivers are twice as likely as adult drivers to be in a fatal crash. Drivers who are 16 have crash rates that are three times greater than 17-year-old drivers, five times greater than 18-year-old drivers and twice the rate of 85-year-old drivers, according to the NHTSA.

Higher crash rates come from a lack of driving experience and inadequate driving skills, excessive driving late at night, risk-taking behavior, poor driving judgment and decision making, drinking and driving and distractions from teenage passengers.

State legislatures are being asked to look at this latest research and toughen their laws.

State of Florida Licensing Rules

Consent of a parent or guardian is required for a minor to be licensed. At any time the person who consented can revoke the consent, and the permit or license will be cancelled.

To get a learner’s license you must:

• Be at least 15
• Pass a written test
• Complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course

After getting a learner’s license you may:

• Not drive unless supervised
• First 3 months — not drive after sunset
• After 3 months — not drive after 10 p.m.

To get a license you must:

• Be at least 16
• Hold a learner's license at least 1 year
• Drive at least 50 hours, 10 of them at night, while supervised
• Pass a driving test

After getting a license you may:

• Younger than 17 — not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 am unless supervised
• 17 — not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless supervised

Restrictions end:

• At 18

Crashes or violations may delay getting a full license.

Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety