New York Law Reduces Number of Youthful Passengers, Increases Supervised Driving Hours, Says I.I.I.
INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
New York Press Office: (212) 346-5500; media@iii.org
NEW YORK, February 23, 2010 — A New York law that took effect yesterday is aimed at strengthening the state’s existing graduated driver license (GDL) system for teenagers, according to the
Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
New York enacted a measure that decreased to one from two the number of non-family passengers under the age of 21 that junior drivers can have in their car, and increased to 50 from 20 hours the required supervised hours a teenaged driver must complete before scheduling a road test. Fifteen of those 50 driving hours must take place after sunset, according to the state’s
Department of Motor Vehicles.
“Every state in the nation has adopted one or more elements of the GDL system,” said Michael Barry, vice president of Media Relations for the I.I.I. “Congress is also considering federal legislation to this effect.”
GDLs generally include a three-phase program that gives teen drivers an opportunity to develop more mature driving attitudes and gain experience behind the wheel over a period of time. Florida became the first state to enact a GDL law in 1996, and GDL legislation has been credited with reducing the number of motor vehicle accidents involving teenaged drivers in that state and elsewhere.
Nonetheless, motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death among 15- to 20-year-olds and insurance industry research shows that more than half of teens who die in crashes are passengers, many of whom are not wearing a seatbelt. In addition, the data indicates that a teen driver’s chance of getting into a fatal accident doubles when a teen passenger is in the car. With three or more passengers, the risk quadruples.
“Immaturity and lack of driving experience are the two main factors leading to high crash rates among teens,” said Barry. “Even the best teenage drivers don’t have the judgment that comes with experience. It affects their recognition of and response to hazardous situations and results in dangerous practices such as speeding and tailgating. Teens also tend to engage in riskier behavior—eating, talking on their cellphones and text messaging. The added distraction of another teen passenger in the car just adds to the risks facing young drivers.”
Besides abiding by your state’s GDL laws, the Insurance Information Institute recommends parents and guardians take the following precautions, many of which also carry possible insurance benefits, to ensure the safety of their teens.
1. Pick a safe car.
You and your teenager should choose a car that is easy to drive and would offer protection in the event of a crash. Avoid small cars and those with high performance images that might encourage speed and recklessness. Trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVS) should also be avoided, since they are more prone to rollovers.
2. Have your teen take a driver’s education course.
A teenager who has learned to drive through a recognized driver’s education course may be viewed more favorably by insurers. In some states, teens must take a driver’s education course if they want to get a license at 16; otherwise, they have to wait until they are 18. The more driving practice your teen gets, the more confident he or she will be behind the wheel and the better able to react to challenging situations on the road.
3. Enroll your teen in a safe driver program.
Some insurers offer “safe driver” programs. Teen participants in these programs sign parent-teen driving contracts which outline the young driver’s responsibilities and the consequences of failure to meet those expectations. Check whether your insurance company has such a program—if your teenager completes the program, you may be eligible for a discount.
In addition, insurance companies are helping to reduce the number of accidents involving teen drivers by subsidizing the cost of electronic devices, such as GPS systems and video cameras, which can monitor the way teens drive. These monitoring services are usually operated by independent companies and alert parents of unsafe driving by email, text message or phone. Some insurers now offer discounts for parents and teens who participate in these safe driving programs.
4. Talk to your teen about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Alcohol and driving do not mix. Parents should impose a no tolerance policy when it comes to alcohol and driving.
5. Talk to your teen about the dangers of distracted driving.
Too many accidents occur each year because a teen driver was using a cellphone, text messaging, playing with the radio or CD controls or talking to friends in the backseat, so encourage your teen to put away their cellphone, ignore the radio and concentrate on driving. Also, teens should be careful not to create distractions and to exhibit safe behavior when they are passengers in their friends’ cars. New drivers should wait until they have driven 1,000 miles or for six months before picking up their first teen passenger.
6. Be a good role model.
New drivers learn by example, so if you drive recklessly, your teenager is likely to imitate you. Drive carefully, avoid texting and cellphone calls, always wear a seatbelt and never drink and drive.
For the latest research and state-by-state details on the laws governing teen driving, go to
Issues Updates: Teen Drivers.
The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the insurance industry.