While summer is a popular time for teens to get driver’s licenses, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes — mainly because of their immaturity, lack of skills and lack of experience.
On average, eight teens die each day from motor vehicle injuries, according to WalletHub’s recently released report, 2023’s Best & Worst States for Teen Drivers (for the complete report, see WalletHub.com/edu/best-worst-states-for-teen-drivers/4598).
The NHTSA encourages parents to learn about the state’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws and to not rely solely on a driver’s education class to teach a teen to drive.
A driver’s education class can teach road rules and safe driving practices, but those are only part of a GDL approach, which is designed to ease teens onto the roadway by controlling their exposure to progressively more difficult driving experiences.
The GDL has provisions and restrictions for three stages: Stage 1-Learner’s Permit; Stage 2-Intermediate (Provisional) License; and Stage 3-Full Licensure.
Parents also are advised to talk to their teen drivers about the dangers of drug and alcohol use; distracted driving (texting, talking, eating, applying makeup, etc.); and other potentially dangerous behaviors, such as not wearing a seatbelt, speeding and having too many passengers in a vehicle.
The NHTSA also recommends parents set driving ground rules and consequences for distracted driving.
For more information and tips, visit NHTSA.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.
Published September 20, 2023
