Refusing to allow drivers to drive makes them stoopid...who knew?
Study: Graduated driver's license laws only delaying teen accidents
Alabama and other states have been passing graduated driver's license laws to cut down on the number of accidents involving teenage drivers, but a new study indicates the laws may not be preventing the accidents, only delaying them.
A recent national study shows that strong driver's license laws have led to fewer fatal crashes among 16-year-olds, but with a disturbing side effect -- more fatal accidents among 18-year-olds.
Although it is difficult to draw too much significance from Alabama's 2010 figures, since the state's Graduated Driver License law did not go into effect until July 2010, the figures seem to support the national study.
Fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers dropped from 29 in 2009 to 24 in 2010. But fatal crashes involving 18-year-old drivers increased from 21 to 25.
The national study examined fatal crashes from 1986 to 2007 involving 16- to 19-year-olds. Results appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Most previous studies have also linked graduated licensing programs with a decline in fatal crash rates among young teens, but have cited mixed results for older teens.
Many states require young drivers to get extensive experience, including driving with an adult, before getting a full license. But in most states those laws only apply to those younger than 18. The new study suggests some teens are just putting off getting a license until they turn 18 -- meaning they have little experience and higher odds for a deadly crash.
Doing that could be particularly dangerous because 18-year-olds drive so much more than 16-year-olds would, said Robyn Litchfield, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman.
She said national studies indicate that 18-year-olds drive approximately twice as many miles annually as 16-year-olds and that this is likely because of increased parental monitoring and restrictions placed on the 16-year-olds.
The two factors combined in- dicate that 18-year-old drivers have about 250 percent more exposure as a function of miles driven annually compared to 16-year-old drivers.
"A significant increase in crashes, injuries and fatalities for 18-year-olds is expected," Litchfield said.
In Alabama, 15-year-olds are eligible for a Stage 1 (learner's) license. At 16, the teens may receive a Stage 2 (restricted) license once they pass the road skills test. Then, at 17, they are eligible for a Stage 3 (unrestricted license), according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
The national study authors analyzed fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and information on each state's licensing programs.
Comparing states with the most restrictions versus those with the weakest laws or no restrictions, there were 26 percent fewer fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. But among 18-year-old drivers, there were 12 percent more fatal crashes. The differences are estimates, taking into account factors that would also influence fatal crash rates, including seatbelt laws, changes in minimum speed limits, and the fact that 18-year-old drivers outnumber 16-year-old drivers.
Every state has some type of graduated driver's licensing program. These typically allow full, unrestricted licenses to kids younger than 18 only after several months of learning while driving with adults, followed by unsupervised driving with limits on things such as night driving and the number of passengers.
In Alabama, there were more fatal crashes involving 18-year-olds than 16-year-olds in years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. In 2009, there were eight more fatal crashes involving 16-year-olds than 18-year-olds, according to the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
Alabama has 57,237 licensed drivers who are 18 years old, and 46,068 licensed drivers who are 16 years old.
Researchers estimate that since the first graduated licensing program began in the nation in 1996, the programs have been associated with 1,348 fewer fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers, but with 1,086 more fatal crashes involving 18-year-old drivers.
During the 1986-2007 study, there were nearly 132,000 fatal crashes of drivers ages 16 to 19. Nearly 20 percent involved 16-year-old drivers, while almost 30 percent involved 18-year-olds.
Keith Kasarjian of Prattville worries most about teens' decision-making while driving, which is something he believes can only improve with experience. Kasarjian, whose daughter Molly Kasarjian received her license at age 16, also worries about distractions while driving, including cellphone usage and the radio.
The Kasarjians moved from Kentucky to Alabama when Molly was 16, and shortly after the teenager received her learner's permit. The state required her to have the permit for at least six months before receiving her license.
Having moved from Kentucky, where it was the law for teens to wait until age 17 to receive their license, Keith Kasarjian saw "first-hand the benefits of being older and having to log a certain number of hours in a variety of driving conditions."
A journal editorial by researchers with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said the potential effects in older teens "is a serious issue deserving attention by researchers and policymakers."
The editorial noted that New Jersey is one of the few states where graduated driver's licensing restrictions apply to all first-time applicants younger than 21. That has led to lower crash rates among 17- and 18-year-olds.
Whether these programs should be extended to include older teens merits further study, the editorial said.
The study examined fatal crashes from 1986 to 2007 involving 16- to 19-year-olds. Results appeared in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
BTW cops are the most dangerous drivers on the road.
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