This article reports on studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute which examined graduated licensing laws, restrictions on night time driving, and delayed licensing age, and their impact on fatal crashes and insurance losses. In general, the studies found that states that had laws with good ratings (ratings assigned by the IIHS beginning in 2000) had reduced fatal crash rates for teenage drivers. In regard to insurance losses, the studies found that limiting the number of passengers to 1 led to a 6 percent reduction in collision claim frequencies, and by imposing a 9 pm driving curfew, there was an 11 percent reduction in claim frequencies. Overall, the studies confirmed that the older the licensing age, the fewer the fatal crashes. However, it was also found that graduated programs are not consistent in providing equal benefits. This was primarily in the area of setting strict limits on night time driving and the number of teen passengers allowed in the vehicles.
Abstract