This publication provides a snapshot of current teen distracted driving research and data, and discusses how states are using this and other information to address the problem. (It is not intended to be inclusive of all teen distracted driving policies or initiatives, nor does inclusion of a particular program imply endorsement.) The report focuses on legislative, enforcement and educational initiatives at the state and local level, and briefly discusses national policies and programs specifically targeting novice driver distraction. It is designed to help Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) member states, safety advocates and others working in teen driving gain a better understanding of the issue and learn what is being done to reduce its incidence. The state and local policies and programs detailed in this report were identified through a survey of SHSOs conducted by GHSA in March 2014. Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands provided responses about their teen distracted driving laws, programs and activities. Following review of the surveys and consultation with an expert panel made up of state highway safety officials, safety advocates, public health practitioners and researchers working in teen driver safety, telephone interviews were conducted with a select number of states to gain a better understanding of their activities. It should be noted that some, but not all, of the initiatives included in this report have been or are being evaluated through crash data analysis, pre- and post-surveys and/or the peer review process. Sprinkled throughout the report are brief synopses of actual teen distracted driving crashes. SHSOs were asked to share links to news reports about high profile crashes in their state. These are included to illustrate the devastating and, in some cases, precedent setting impact of this unsafe behaviour. (Author/publisher)
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