‘Automotive Answers: 9982929222999 2999922999929 99992999 92999999999 9299999999999 299 Gov’t And Industry Teaming Up To Save Teen Drivers Percentage of Fatal Crashes by Characteristic, 1999 Driver Age 16 17-19 20-49 Driver Error 82 75 63 3+ Occupants 32 25 18 Single Vehicle 40 37 30 Drivers Killed w/0.01+ BAC Female Driver 13 37 33 29 49 30 @ Speeding 34 31 22 (NAPSA)—Teenagers usually perceive a driver’s license as a ticket to freedom.It’s momentousfor parents, too. Though they often are aware of the high crashrisks associated with teen drivers, they’re relieved not to have to chauffeur their children around anymore. Of the 187.2 million licensed offers a brief explanation of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), and presents two profiles of teenagers wholost their lives in car crashes. The publication also discusses how parents are role models for their teen drivers; how parents must establish rules for a driving teenager; the importance of re- percent) were between the ages of 15 and 20. Crashes are the leading cause of death among Ameri- vehicle based on safety, not image; and how supervised practice should be spread over at least six than one-third of all deaths of 16 to 18 year olds. As shown by the chart, the crash problem is worse among 16 year olds, who have the GDLis a new licensing system that requires young novice drivers to graduate through three licensing phases while complying with safety requirements and restrictions that limit teen passengers, restrict night driving, establish zero tolerance for alcohol, and require a specific amount of supervised practice during theinitial phase. Evaluations of GDL systems have shown positive results in reducing the crashes of novice drivers (up to 37 percent). drivers in 1999, 12.7 million (6.8 can teens, and account for more most limited driving experience and an immaturity that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel. To combat this ongoing national tragedy, the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has joined forces with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (ITHS) and other safety organizations to give parents some help training their teenage drivers. One product of the joint effort with the IIHSis a brochure entitled “Beginning Teenage Drivers.” This publication describes the characteristics of teenage drivers’ crashes, provides hints andtips for parents training a young driver, stricting night driving; choosing a months. For more information on this and other aspects of highway safety, visit the NHTSA Website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov and the ITHS Website at www.highwaysafety. org. To request a copy of “Beginning Teenage Drivers,” write to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 7th Street SW, Mail Stop NTS-32, Attn: Sean McLaurin, Washington, DC 20590.
