Washington – Teens in states with tough restrictions on young drivers are 20 percent less likely to be involved in fatal crashes, according to a study to be released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“The more restrictions you have, the better,” said researcher Susan Baker, one of the authors of the study conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Forty-two states and the District of Columbia have some form of graduated restrictions on teen drivers.
Previous studies have shown that gradually allowing teens to drive reduces fatalities. The NHTSA study is the first to compare fatalities involving 16-year-old drivers based on the restrictiveness of their states’ laws. The study reviewed fatal crashes between 1994 and 2004.
The study looked at seven key teen-driving restrictions that states have implemented.
A minimum three-month window between a learner’s permit and an intermediate license.
At least 30 hours of driving supervised by, for example, a parent.
A minimum age of 16 for obtaining an intermediate license.
Restrictions on nighttime driving.
A minimum of age 17 for full licensing.
Restricting the number and age of passengers in cars driven by youths without full licensing.
Not issuing a learner’s permit before age 15 1/2.
