Most Wanted
Transportation Safety
Improvements
State Issues

Eliminate Distractions for Young Drivers

Importance

Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for 15- through 20-year-olds.

From 1997 through 2006, more than 63,000 youth aged 15 through 20 died in traffic crashes—122 each week.

In 2006, 3,490 drivers 15 through 20 years old were killed, and an additional 281,000 15- through 20-year-olds were injured in motor vehicle crashes.  In 2006, 7,463 drivers in this age group were involved in fatal crashes, resulting in 8,609 total fatalities.

In 2006, teen drivers constituted only 6.4 percent of licensed drivers, but were involved in 12.9 percent of all highway fatal crashes and 16 percent of all         police-reported crashes.

The risk of a crash involving a teenage driver increases with each additional teen passenger in the vehicle.

Sixteen-year-old drivers are almost 5 times as likely to be in a crash when traveling with peer passengers.

Passengers riding with young teen drivers are especially at risk; two-thirds of the fatally injured passengers in single-vehicle teen-driver crashes were teenagers themselves (between ages 15-19).

Learning how to drive and becoming comfortable in traffic requires all the concentration a novice driver can muster.  Research has shown that the cognitive effects of conducting a conversation on a wireless telephone can decrease situational awareness and that wireless telephone use can slow reaction time.

Safety Recommendations:  This issue area currently includes three recommendations (H-02-30, H-02-32, and H-03-8).

(1) Safety Recommendation H-02-30 and H-02-32 (Graduated Driver Licensing [GDL] and Passenger Restriction)

H-02-30 (to 29 States and the District of Columbia that had a GDL system)
Issued November 8, 2002
Added to the Most Wanted List:  2004
Status:  Various
Restrict young, novice drivers with provisional (intermediate) licenses, unless accompanied by a supervising adult driver who is at least 21 years old, from carrying more than one passenger under the age of 20 until they receive an unrestricted license or for at least 6 months (whichever is longer).  (Source:  Letter of recommendation in November 8, 2002 addressing restricting the number of teen passengers permitted to travel with an unsupervised, young novice driver)

 H-02-32 (to 14 States that had neither a GDL system nor passenger restrictions) superseded H-93-8
Issued November 8, 2002
Added to the Most Wanted List:  2003
Status:  Various
Enact laws to provide for a three-stage graduated licensing system for young novice drivers, and restrict young novice drivers with provisional or intermediate licenses (second stage), unless accompanied by a supervising adult driver who is at least 21 years old, from carrying more than one passenger under the age of 20 until they receive an unrestricted license or for at least 6 months (whichever is longer).  (Source:  Letter of recommendation in November 8, 2002 addressing restricting the number of teen passengers permitted to travel with an unsupervised, young novice driver)

Summary of Action

Thirty-nine States and the District of Columbia have established passenger restrictions for young drivers in the intermediate (provisional) stage of licensing.  Twenty-three States and the District of Columbia prohibit for at least 6 months intermediate driver’s license holders from carrying more than one passenger under age 20.  Missouri’s and Nebraska’s laws apply only to passengers under age 19, laws in seven other States apply only to passengers under age 18, and Idaho’s law applies only to passengers under age 17.

In 2008, at least 14 States (AL, CT, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, ND, and NY) considered legislation to implement or strengthen passenger restrictions.  Minnesota enacted legislation strengthening its GDL law.

The States have substantially changed their driver licensing practices since the Safety Board issued its first GDL recommendations in 1993.  These changes represent the most significant alteration of young driver licensing practices in over 50 years.

Forty-seven States and the District of Columbia have adopted a three-stage graduated licensing system, although some States do not include all recommended elements, such as a mandatory permit or provisional license holding period.  Three States have enacted partial systems.  All of these laws have been enacted since 1993.

In 2008, at least 18 States (AL, AZ, CO, CT, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, MD, MN, MO, MS, NH, NJ, NY, SC, and VA) considered legislation to improve graduated licensing requirements, including passenger restrictions.  Minnesota enacted legislation strengthening its GDL law, but it lacks the Board’s recommended supervised driving hours. 

Actions Remaining

Twenty-four States should implement a passenger restriction that satisfies the Board’s recommendation.

Arkansas, Kansas, and North Dakota should implement a three-stage graduated licensing system with a passenger restriction.

(3) Safety Recommendation H-03-8 (Wireless Communication Devices)

H-03-8 (48 States)
Issued June 13, 2003
Added to the Most Wanted List:  2005
Status:  Various
Enact legislation to prohibit holders of learner’s permits and intermediate licenses from using interactive wireless communication devices while driving.  (Source:  Ford Explorer Sport Collision with Ford Windstar Minivan and Jeep Grand Cherokee on Interstate 95/495 Near Largo, Maryland on February 1, 2002, Highway Accident Report NTSB/HAR-03/02)

Summary of Action

Currently, 19 States and the District of Columbia have laws related to use of wireless communication devices by young novice drivers.  Twelve States (CT, DE, IL, LA, ME, MD, MN, NE, NJ, NC, RI, TN, and WV) have laws prohibiting the use of cell phones or other mobile communication devices for holders of learner’s permits and intermediate licenses.  Colorado and the District of Columbia prohibit holders of learner’s permits from using cell phones, and Texas and Virginia prohibit holders of intermediate licenses from using cell phones.  California, New York, and Washington prohibit hand-held use of cell phones by any driver.

In 2008, at least 23 States (AL, AZ, CA, DE, IL, IA, KS, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WY) considered some form of legislation to prohibit the use of cell phones or wireless devices.  Some proposals were consistent with the Board’s recommendation to prevent holders of learner’s permits and intermediate licenses from using any wireless device while driving, while other proposals addressed hand-held use of cell phones only, but by any driver.  Louisiana enacted legislation prohibiting persons under age 18 from using wireless communications devices while driving.

Actions Remaining

Thirty-seven States should implement an interactive wireless communication prohibition that applies both to holders of learner’s permits and to holders of intermediate licenses.

November 2008