Whether based on miles driven or population, the crash risk for teenage drivers in the United States exceeds that for any other age group. The crash risk is highest among 16- and 17-year-old drivers, presumably due to the increased exposure and risks associated with the initiation of independent driving. The amount of driving increases dramatically when teenagers obtain a driver's license, and the risk of a crash or citation is considerably higher during the first few months and the first 500 miles driven following licensure than during subsequent months. Beginning in the mid-1990s, several states in the United States began to embrace the concept of graduated driver licensing (GDL) for teenage drivers. By phasing in driving privileges and limiting initial driving to situations of lesser risk, GDL has great potential for reducing crashes among teenagers. (Author/publisher)
Abstract