Teenage Driving Laws Cut Down on Fatal Crashes
A promising study released Thursday about the nation's youngest drivers shows a 36 percent drop in fatal crashes involving 16 and 17-year-old drivers from about 2,200 in 2004 to 1,400 in 2008.
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The stories are horrifying. In Brooklyn, N.Y., last weekend, a 16-year-old with just a learner's permit, crashed a minivan killing a 13-year-old passenger, but scenes like that are actually now less common across the country, CBS News Correspondent Jim Axelrod reports.
One reason for the 36 percent decline in fatal crashes involving 16 or 17-year-old drivers are graduated driver licensing policies, which limit those with new licenses from driving under high-risk conditions like at night or with other teens.
"States have looked at it and have determined that's a way really to improve driver safety," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.
The laws vary from state to state, causing a variety of fatal accident rates. In New York and New Jersey, 9.7 per 100,000 teenaged drivers were in fatal accidents. In Wyoming, the rate was 59.6 per 100,000. Of those involved in deadly crashes, 65 percent of teen drivers are male and 35 percent female.
In New York, where 16 year olds need 50 hours of driving with a certified instructor before they can get a license, Tyrese Burrows said the requirement is a good idea.
"The laws for kids my age, it helps us be less distracted or even be safer drivers and avoid crashes," Burrows said.
Near San Francisco, Michelle Silva, 17, got her license Thursday.
"I just want to drive by school, by my house, to show everyone that I got my license," Silva said.
Another factor explaining the decrease in accidents: the economy. Higher gas prices and reduced family incomes have meant less discretionary driving, a phrase that can be used to describe a lot of teenage driving.
