Within the next two months, our town will host both Junior and Senior proms. All of those attending these proms are teen drivers who are relatively inexperienced. Consequently, we must all work together on ensuring our teen drivers are well-trained, safe and informed. Our teen drivers face a number of safety challenges including:
- Teenage drivers are involved in more crashes per mile than drivers of any other age group.
- Drivers aged 16 to 17 are involved in about seven times as many crashes per mile driven compared to drivers in their forties, fifties or sixties.
- Teenage drivers are overrepresented in crashes that result in the death of other people, such as their passengers, pedestrians or occupants of other vehicles.
- The crash rate for 16- to 17-year-old drivers is 50 percent higher than drivers in the 35 to 49 age group.
New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski
Motor Vehicle Crashes Are the Leading Cause of Death of Our Teens
Nationwide motor vehicle crashes rank as the leading cause of death for teens. Research shows that the prevalence of risky behaviors generally grew for 16- and 17-year-old drivers as the number of teen passengers increased.
Among 16- and 17-year-old drivers involved in fatal crashes:
- The presence of passengers greatly increases the chances of a fatal crash.
- The prevalence of speeding increased from 30 percent to 44 percent and 48 percent with zero, two and three or more teen passengers, respectively.
- The prevalence of late-night driving (11 p.m. to 5 a.m.) increased from 17 percent to 22 percent and 28 percent with zero, two and three or more teen passengers, respectively.
- The prevalence of alcohol use increased from 13 percent to 17 percent and 18 percent with zero, two and three or more teen passengers, respectively.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analyzed data on fatal crashes that occurred in the United States from 2005 through 2010. Researchers found that 9,578 drivers age 16 and 17 were involved in fatal crashes, and that 3,994 of these included at least one teen passenger.
Parental Involvement Enhances Safety
Parents who ensure that their teens get ample practice in a wide variety of driving situations and transfer their safe driving wisdom to their novice drivers are more likely to help their teens develop the necessary skills to be safer drivers. Parents should spend more time with their teen drivers so they can build as much experience as possible before driving solo.
One study surveyed parents and teens found that:
- Nearly half of parents reported they wanted their teens to get “a lot of practice,” when asked about their plans for their teens’ driving. Yet, only about one in four parents mentioned practicing under a variety of situations or conditions, such as in bad weather, heavy traffic, or on unfamiliar roads.
- Nearly half of parents (47 percent) reported that there was still at least one condition in which they were not comfortable allowing their teen to drive unsupervised even after they passed their driving test and got their license to drive independently.
- Few parents in the study were observed sharing more complex driving tips—such as visual scanning or anticipating other drivers’ behaviors – with their teen drivers.
Graduated Driver Programs Enhance Safety
Graduated driver licensing programs like that in Connecticut have been shown to greatly reduce crashes, injuries and deaths for everyone on the road. As such, it is important that these laws and restrictions are carefully followed. Below is a summary of Connecticut laws related to teen drivers:
Learner’s Permit Restrictions for 16/17 Year Olds:
| Passenger | Only a parent, legal guardian or qualified trainer for the duration of the permit. Parents or guardian may accompany the instructor. |
| Curfew | No curfew, but must be accompanied by a qualified trainer. |
| Seatbelts | All passengers in vehicle must use permanently installed seat belts. |
| Cell phones, etc. | May not use cell phones (even if hands-free) or other mobile electronic devices while driving. This includes any hand-held computer or other device with a video display. |
Driver’s License Restrictions for 16/17 Year Olds:
| Passenger | For the first 6 months after obtaining a driver license, may only drive with:
Licensed driving instructor; or Parents or legal guardian, at least one of whom holds a valid driver license; or Person providing instruction who is at least 20 years old, has held a license for at least 4 years with no suspensions during the last 4 years For the second 6 months, may drive with the above people or may also drive with immediate family (e.g., brothers, and sisters). *See exemptions below |
| Curfew | Until 18th birthday, may not drive between hours of 11PM – 5AM unless it is for:
employment school religious activities medical necessity *See exemptions below |
| Seatbelts | Until 18th birthday, all passengers in vehicle must use permanently installed seat belts. |
| Cell phones, etc. | Until 18th birthday, may not use cell phones (even if hands-free) or other mobile electronic devices while driving. This includes any hand-held computers or other device with a video display. |
*Passenger/Curfew Exemptions:
The passenger and curfew restrictions do not apply to:
- active members of a volunteer fire company or department who are responding to an emergency or carrying out duties
- active members of a volunteer ambulance service or company who are responding to an emergency or carrying out duties
- active members of medical service organization who are responding to an emergency or carrying out duties
- assigned driver in a Safe Ride program
It is critical that we all work together towards enhancing teen driver safety by adhering to graduated license restrictions, ensuring teen drivers receive ongoing driver training, and encouraging all parents to take an active role in their teen’s safety.
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