Teenage Driving Issues InVEST Class

Teen Driving Issues Young operators of vehicles are disproportionately affected by auto accidents. Their accident rates are higher, fatality rates higher, and the incidence of alcohol- related deaths is higher than the general population.

Young Drivers are Most Vulnerable to Accidents

Male vs. Female About 2 out of every 3 teenagers killed in crashes in 2016 were males. Since 1975 teenage crash deaths have decreased more among males (72 percent) than among females (57 percent).

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a report in May 2012 that showed that the risk of 16- or 17-year old drivers being killed in a crash increases with each additional teenage passenger in the vehicle. The risk increases 44 percent with one passenger; it doubles with two passengers, and quadruples with three or more passengers. The study analyzed crash data and the number of miles driven by 16- and 17-year olds.

Texting and Driving You’re 23% more likely to get into an accident while texting Using a cellphone while driving delays a drivers reaction as much as driving with an alcohol level of .08 (the legal limit in most states)

Cell Phone Use While Driving Laws The prevalence of cellular phones, new research, and publicized crashes has started many debates related to the role cell phones play in driver distraction. This chart details state cellular phone use and texting while driving laws. Hand-held Cell Phone Use Ban: 16 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. All Cell Phone ban: No state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 38 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice or teen drivers, and 21 states and D.C. prohibit any cell phone use for school bus drivers. Text Messaging ban: 47 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. Source:  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety  2017 Novice driver – someone who has a learners permit or provisional licenses

Graduated Licensing Programs that grant privileges to new drivers in phases — known as graduated licensing programs — dramatically reduce the rate of teen driver fatal crashes. These laws were adopted by all 50 states and the District of Columbia between 1996 and 2011. Research shows that such programs reduced the rate of fatal crashes among 16- 17-year-olds by 8 to 14 percent. The greatest reductions in young driver crashes were seen in states that had adopted graduated driver licensing laws in combination with mandatory seat belt laws or laws requiring a loss of the driver’s license as a penalty for possession or use of alcohol by youth aged 20 or younger. In addition, limiting driving at night or with teenaged passengers, in combination with graduated licensing laws, had greater reductions in overall crash rates involving teen drivers.

Auto Insurance for Young Drivers Because of the higher accident rate for young drivers, insurance premiums tend to be higher This increases if the insured is a male teenager Many insurance companies offer good student discounts