The Prevention Status Reports highlight–for all 50 states and the District of Columbia–the status of public health policies and practices designed to address 10 important public health problems and concerns. The following policies are recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because scientific studies support their effectiveness in preventing or reducing crash-related injuries and deaths: * Implementing primary enforcement seat belt laws that cover occupants in all seating positions. * Mandating the use of car seats and booster seats for motor vehicle passengers through at least age 8 years. * Implementing comprehensive graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems, which help new drivers gain experience under low-risk conditions by granting driving privileges in stages. Research shows that more comprehensive GDL systems prevent more crashes and deaths than less comprehensive GDL systems. Components of comprehensive GDL systems include - A minimum age of 16 years for learner’s permits; - A mandatory holding period of at least 12 months for learner’s permits; - Night-time driving restrictions between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am (or longer) for intermediate or provisional license holders; - A limit of zero or one young passengers who can ride with intermediate or provisional license holders without adult supervision; - A minimum age of 18 years for unrestricted licensure. * Requiring the use of ignition interlock devices for everyone convicted of alcohol-impaired driving. Other strategies recommended by scientific evidence for preventing motor vehicle injuries include enhanced seat belt enforcement campaigns, 0.08% blood alcohol concentration laws, minimum legal drinking age laws, publicized sobriety checkpoint programs, alcohol-impaired driving mass media campaigns, increased alcohol taxes, car and booster seat distribution plus education campaigns, and community-wide car seat and booster seat information and enhanced enforcement campaigns. (Author/publisher)
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