Insurance Insight: What about graduated licensing for teens?

Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 17, 2002

By MIKE WILLIAMS

It may not surprise you to learn the most likely cause of death in today’s world for someone between the ages of 13 and 19 is a motor vehicle crash. Although teen-agers are physically healthier than their older counterparts and are less likely to die from disease, good physical health is usually worthless in fighting the injuries sustained from serious traffic crashes.

While teens drive fewer miles than other drivers, they are involved in more crashes than any other age group.

Why? Immaturity and a lack of driving experience are considered the main reasons.

Compared with older drivers, teen-agers as a group are more willing to take risks and less likely to use safety belts.

They are also more likely than older drivers to underestimate the dangers associated with hazardous situations and less able to cope with such dangers.

What can be done?

Formal evaluations of United States high school driver education programs indicate they have little or no effect in reducing crashes. Also, offering driver education in schools has the unintended effect of encouraging early licensure among 16- and 17-year-olds. State laws that limit teen-agers’ driving exposure are considered by many to be most effective – for example, nighttime curfews for beginning drivers and higher are requirements for initial licensing. In 24 states, graduated licensing systems are in place to provide beginning drivers with an opportunity to drive under conditions that minimize risk.

They are also in force in New Zealand, where it has been shown teen crashes have been reduced as a result.

The excitement of teen-age years is enhanced by the freedom that accompanies a driver’s license.

But with that freedom comes increased risk.

It has become obvious that trading a little bit of that freedom for a significant reduction of that risk is one of the best deals we can make.

MIKE WILLIAMS is a State Farm insurance agent with an office in LaPlace.