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September 29, 2006
IIHS EVALUATES, COMMENDS CALIFORNIA TEEN LICENSING LAW
Finding that teen drivers' crash rates can go down “significantly” under provisions of some graduated licensing laws, a new IIHS evaluation of graduated licensing finds a 23 percent overall reduction in the per-capita crash involvement rate of 16-year-old drivers in California. “Crashes went down more in the high-risk situations specifically addressed by graduated licensing — nighttime crash rates went down 27 percent, and crash rates with teen passengers decreased 38 percent,” IIHS said.
California legislators were among the first in the nation to enact graduated licensing, which took effect in 1998. The law increased the learner's permit period and required parents or guardians to certify that learners get at least 50 hours of practice. Once licensed, 16 year-olds still are restricted. They may not drive unsupervised at night or any time with teen passengers. IIHS noted that “similar laws that phase in driving privileges for beginning teens over time have been enacted in most states, but the requirements vary. Multiple studies of the laws in states other than California also reveal benefits, including fatal crash reductions. An exception is a study published in 2003 by the California transportation department, which found no overall effects of graduated licensing.”
Posted by MVHAP at September 29, 2006 11:32 AM