We face a national problem that can be solved – if we work together. The number one cause of death among teenage Americans remains automobile crashes and in these extraordinary times, we have a real opportunity to stem this dilemma.
A bill in Congress – the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act – could be a huge step forward in reducing teen accidents.
Preventable car crashes are the leading cause of death among American teens, claiming nearly 5,000 teenage lives last year. Further, when these drivers take to the road without the right preparation, they are more than a danger to themselves – they also put other drivers at risk.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 8,000 people – young and old – lose their lives each year as a result of teen-related crashes. This is a problem we can all solve.
Allstate has focused on teen driving as a critical part of our overall mission to make American communities safer places for parents and children. We have looked at studies that show the teen brain is not fully developed, meaning that young drivers weigh the factors that go into safe driving differently than adults.
As a result, they can take some dangerous risks, such as driving too fast or becoming easily distracted by passengers.
We can’t rewire teenage brains, but we can give teens the time and attention they need to become safe, responsible drivers.
Graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws do just that, helping young drivers become safer by addressing the three main causes of teen driving accidents: unlimited driving privileges upon receiving a license, driving with passengers, and driving at night.
The efficacy of GDL laws is not theoretical – they actually work. Effective GDL systems are known to reduce fatal crashes among 16-year-olds by approximately 40 percent.
These decreases can be attributed to the major elements of an optimal GDL program, which include: a three-stage licensing process; a prohibition of nighttime driving for new drivers; passenger restrictions for new drivers; prohibition of cell phones and similar devices for new drivers; and an age limit of 16 for a learner’s permit and 18 for a full unrestricted license.
Most states have laws that incorporate at least some of these optimal GDL components, and Allstate applauds the efforts of state and local leaders to address this issue. State legislatures across the country have a long history of improving teen driving standards that have led to safer roads.
However, few states have enacted all proven elements of reliable behind-the-wheel training for young drivers. More can and should be done.
That’s why the bill introduced by Congressmember Timothy Bishop (D-NY), Michael Castle (R-DE) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) has the potential to save thousands of lives each year. The legislation would require states to pass uniform GDL laws that incorporate proven methods to prevent teen driving accidents. The members of New York’s Congressional delegation should join this cause by supporting the STANDUP Act.
Summer is now upon us. The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the deadliest for teenagers behind the wheel, underscoring the need to quickly pass this legislation.
We are facing complex challenges on a multitude of fronts. This is not, however, the time to lose sight of a powerful solution that is within our grasp. We can pass an effective and reasonable law to help save thousands of lives every year. The stakes are high … and the time to act is now.
Krista Conte is a Senior Corporate Relations Manager for Allstate Insurance Company.
