Jalopnik: teenage driving

AAA Supports Teenagers Driving Alone, Because Billy's Just Too Damn Talkative

Andrew Stoy — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:20:00 EDT

The American Automobile Association of Michigan is on a quest to strengthen the state's graduated licensing laws by restricting the number of passengers who can ride with a teen driver. Statistics show that teens transporting passengers are more likely to be involved in an accident; according to Jack Peet, Community Safety Services manager for AAA Michigan, "When there are multiple passengers, the crash risk is 3 to 5 times greater." Of course, loss of life is tragic, but it's the money that gets legislation moving, so AAA throws in its estimate that teen drivers cost society $34 billion in medical expenses, lost work, property damage, quality of life loss and other related costs in 2006 alone. Won't someone please think of the cost of the children? Full release after the jump.

AAA Supports Passenger Restrictions — Cites Recent Teen Driving Crashes

HB 4151 would make graduated licensing laws even stronger

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Michigan's graduated driver licensing laws are among the best in the country, resulting in a dramatic decline in deaths and injuries since they were enacted in 1996. However, AAA believes that these laws can be further strengthened to help prevent even more deaths and injuries among teen drivers and their passengers.

A significant number of teen crashes in Michigan this spring and summer — including a fatal crash this week in Macomb County — have lawmakers taking a second look at legislation that would place restrictions on the number of passengers that can ride with a teen driver. House Bill 4151 would limit the number of teen passengers to one. AAA strongly supports this bill.

"According to a March 2008 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when teenage drivers transport passengers there is a greatly increased crash risk, with greater risk associated with more passengers," said Jack Peet, Community Safety Services manager for AAA Michigan. "In fact, when there are multiple passengers, the crash risk is 3 to 5 times greater."

A recent analysis from AAA finds that crashes involving teen drivers ages 15 to 17 cost American society more than $34 billion annually in medical expenses, lost work, property damage, quality of life loss and other related costs in 2006.

"The impact of a teen crash extends beyond the emotional tragedies and physical injury at the crash scene, with costs that can extend to employers, families, the government and society overall," said Peet. "These economic figures provide one more reason for legislators to improve graduated driver licensing laws in their states."

New research by AAA shows an alarmingly high number of teens admit to engaging in very risky behavior behind the wheel. Some of these behaviors — like driving under the influence — are problems the safety community has battled for years. Others — like text messaging while driving — are new behaviors. They all pose a threat to road users and must be corrected by teens, parents and safe driving educators.

For additional information on teen driving visit AAA.com/safety.

Source: AAA Michigan

CONTACT: Jim Rink, +1-313-336-1513, or Nancy Cain, +1-313-336-1514, both
for AAA Michigan

Web site: http://aaa.com/safety

IIHS Suggests Driving Age Should Be Raised, Angering The Pimpled Masses

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:20:00 EDT

Those buzzkills over at the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS) have indicated that they think the driving age should be raised in order to prevent deaths. The group points to lower fatality rates among teens in New Jersey, a state which doesn't grant full licenses to drivers until they're 18, compared to states with lower ages. As we pointed out in our guide to teenage driving rules, licensing guidelines vary from state-to-state and can include a variety of measures. Simply notching up the driving age seems a bit arbitrary, especially given other options.

Many states utilize a graduated licensing program that puts limits on driving for teenagers based on age. For instance, teenage drivers under the age of 17 in Florida need an adult above the age of 21 in the car between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am. New drivers in Georgia must be licensed for six months before having more than one passenger in their car. Additionally, there are six states which have novice-driver cell-phone bans.

Jalopnik Snap Judgment: While the number of auto-related deaths in this country is far too high, outright changes to driving behavior (such as speed-limiting cars) is bound to cause more outrage than actual change. Gradual steps that address the underlying causes, such as bad driving and driver distractions, are more likely to find the support needed in the public arena to pass new traffic safety laws.

[Yahoo/AP via GMI Forums, Photo: Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images]

Less Teenagers Applying For Driver's Licenses, What's The Matter With Kids Today?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:45:00 EST

A troubling report from our favorite NY Times editor, and no it doesn't involve poorly substantiated insinuations that Bill Ford had a sexual relationship with John McCain. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the rate of licensed 16-year-olds dropped from 43.8% in 1998 to just 29.8% in 2006. You'll remember from our guide to teenage driving rules that some kids can get permits as early as 14. And where are these kids making out? It has something to do with the Internet. Other factors include the cost of private driver's instruction, now that school supported driving instruction dropped to just 20% from 90% in the 1980's.

We're sort of troubled in a parents-from-Bye Bye Birdie sort of way. We remember a friend who worked at an auto parts store and spent a good chunk of time fixing up her Ford Ranger. She loved that truck in a way we could all respect and was always amongst the first to offer up a ride. Her two sisters, on the other hand, are in college and still haven't learned to drive. We'll point out they also live in Boerne Stage, which is as inaccessible by public transit as you can imagine. On the other hand, less accident causing kids on the road the better.
[NYTimes]

Rules of the Road: Jalopnik's Guide To Teenage Driving Rules

Matt Hardigree — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:30:00 EST

It was a while before we got what the term "hardship license" meant, as we considered being able to drive when you're under the age of 16 a miracle. Later we learned to get one you generally have to be a farmer or have disabled parents, live in poverty and have a job. This all underlines the point that when you don't have a driver's license, the rules regarding how to get one are increasingly important. And while most of us have the ability to drive legally, we're all still often at the mercy of woefully unprepared and unskilled teenage motorists (some of whom are our children).

Laws regarding who can drive, how and when vary from state-to-state, though most states allow drivers to get restricted licenses by age 16 and full licenses by age 18. Because there is no overarching federal law regarding licensing, each state has managed to invent their own rules, with a general trend towards more strict regulations.

Learner's Permit

The first step for most teenage drivers is to get a learner's permit, which allows students to drive with a parent or an adult in the car. The age for this is as low as 14 years old (Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota) and as high as 16 in many states, mostly along the East Coast.

Driver's Ed

Most states have licensed or accredited driver's education program, mostly through high schools that need to find a way to get creepy and ill-educated coaches a chance to earn an education stipend. In Georgia, a student must wait until they're 17 unless they've completed a driver's education course. In Illinois, a student must complete 50 hours of driving before they can even apply for a license (which sucks for them, because most classes are designed so that you can't miss a single one).

Restricted License

A restricted license is a lot like it sounds (some states call it a graduated license), it's a license with certain restrictions including when, where and how they can drive. For example, if you've got a hot date in Maine and your dad's Firebird you're SOL as drivers with restricted licenses (under the age of 17) can only drive with family and during daylight hours.

State-by-State

Below are state-by-state licensing requirements as of 12/00/2007, which are subject to change whenever legislators feel like it:

Alabama
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: None
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Must have permit for 15 months before receiving a full license.

Alaska
Learning Permit Age: 14
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 16.5
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Arizona
Learning Permit Age: 15.6
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Must complete a test to receive a permit.

Arkansas
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: Yes
Additional Restrictions:

California
Learning Permit Age: 15.5
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: Yes
Additional Restrictions:

Colorado
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Connecticut
Learning Permit Age: 16
Restricted License: 16.33
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: Yes
Additional Restrictions:

Delaware
Learning Permit Age: 16
Restricted License: 16.5
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Florida
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Drivers under the age of 17 need an adult above the age of 21 in the car between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am.

Georgia
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: Yes
Additional Restrictions: Six months before a driver can have more than one passenger in the car.

Hawaii
Learning Permit Age: 15.5
Restricted License: None
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Idaho
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 15
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: Yes
Additional Restrictions: Drivers under the age of 17 need an adult above the age of 21 in the car between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am.

Illinois
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: Yes (50 hours)
Additional Restrictions: No cell phone usage under 18 unless in an emergency situation.

Indiana
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16.5
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: Yes
Additional Restrictions:

Iowa
Learning Permit Age: 14
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Kansas
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 15
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Kentucky
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Louisiana
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Drivers under the age of 17 cannot drive overnight

Maine
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16.5
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Drivers under the age of 17 cannot drive overnight or with passengers not in their immediate family.

Maryland
Learning Permit Age: 15.66
Restricted License: 16.33
Full License: 17.66
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Massachusetts
Learning Permit Age: 16
Restricted License: 16.5
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Drivers under the age of 17 cannot drive overnight without the presence of a parent and cannot drive with underage passengers that are not in their immediate family unless with a licensed driver over the age of 21.

Michigan
Learning Permit Age: 14.75
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Minnesota
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Mississippi
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 15.6
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Missouri
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Montana.
Learning Permit Age: 14,5
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18 (or after a full year of restricted license)
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Nebraska
Learning Permit Age: 14.25
Restricted License: 15
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Nevada
Learning Permit Age: 15.5
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

New Hampshire
Learning Permit Age: 15.5
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Drivers with restricted licenses cannot drive between 1:00 am and 5:00 am or with more than one minor that is not a family member.

New Jersey
Learning Permit Age: 16
Restricted License: 17
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Drivers with restricted licenses cannot drive between 12:00 am and 5:00 am or with more than one minor that is not a family member.

New Mexico
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 15.5
Full License: 16.5
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

New York
Learning Permit Age: 16
Restricted License: 18 (or six months after permit)
Full License: 18 (17 with driver's education certificate)
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Drivers under the age of 17 cannot drive between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am unless for a school event, job or along with a licensed driver over the age of 21

North Carolina
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 16.5
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Restricted license drivers may not drive between 9:00 pm and 5:00 pm

North Dakota
Learning Permit Age: 14
Restricted License: 14.5
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Drivers with restricted licenses can only drive cars owned by parent/gaurdian or with dual controls.

Ohio
Learning Permit Age: 15.5
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: Yes (under 18)
Additional Restrictions: Drivers under the age of 17 can't drive between 12:00 am and 6:00 am and can't drive with more than one non-family member under the age of 21, under 18 between 1:00 am and 5:00 am.

Oklahoma
Learning Permit Age: 14.5
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 6 months after restrictions
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Oregon
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Pennsylvania
Learning Permit Age: 16
Restricted License: 16.5
Full License: 18
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions: Restricted drivers can't drive between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am without a waiver or have more passengers than seat belts.

Rhode Island
Learning Permit Age: 16
Restricted License: 16.5
Full License: 17.5
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

South Carolina
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

South Dakota
Learning Permit Age: 14
Restricted License: 14.25 (with drivers ed)
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Tennessee
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License:
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Texas
Learning Permit Age: 14.6
Restricted License:
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Utah
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: 16.5
Additional Restrictions:

Vermont
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License:
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Virginia
Learning Permit Age: 15.6
Restricted License:
Full License: 16.25
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Washington
Learning Permit Age: 15 (with driver's ed)
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 17
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Washington, D.C.
Learning Permit Age: 16
Restricted License: 16.5
Full License: 21
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

West Virginia
Learning Permit Age: 15
Restricted License:
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Wisconsin
Learning Permit Age: 15.5
Restricted License: 16
Full License: 18 (or 9 months under restricted without incident)
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

Wyoming
Learning Permit Age: 14.5
Restricted License:
Full License: 16
Driver's Ed Req: No
Additional Restrictions:

[Sources: GoLocal, Wiki, Boston Globe]