Safe Teen Driving Blog
Providing a solid BASE for Teen Drivers by improving Behavior, Attitude, Skills, and Experience
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Graduated Licensing Laws Being Sought in Arizona
A recent article in The Tribune brought to light just how much Arizona lawmakers need to change their laws with regard to teen driving safety. While most states have graduated licensing laws, or laws that restrict a teens' driving by limiting hours behind the wheel, or by limiting the number of passengers they may carry, at least until they become more experienced. Arizona, however, is one of five states that have no restrictions on teen drivers. While there are many lawmakers and Arizona citizens not interested in creating such laws, there are some who are determined to see the laws put into place.
Bob Beaudette from the Scottsdale learned just how painful losing a teen in a car accident could be. His niece, 16-year-old Hannah Tesch, was in a serious car accident when a 16-year-old male driver crashed near Flagstaff. The car was full of teenagers. Hannah died 9 days after the accident. Bob began researching laws in the state, and wrote his representatives, asking them to do something more to protect teen drivers in Arizona - the only state with a "poor" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Bob started speaking in schools, and to this day, he is certain that tougher laws for teenagers would have saved Hannah's life.
While many lawmakers are against passing laws that "do a parent's job," there is great research to support such restrictions. Studies in other states with graduated licensing laws for first time drivers show a reduction in overall crash rates by teenagers, and fatalities resulting from them, of up to 25%.
Car accidents are the leading cause of teens aged 16 to 17 years, and account for about 40% of all deaths in that age category. In addition, 16-year-olds are nine times more likely to crash than other age groups, and male drivers account for two-thirds of all fatal crashes, just as was the case in Hannah's death. One can only hope for the safety of all Arizona teens that these laws finally get passed this year.
Bob Beaudette from the Scottsdale learned just how painful losing a teen in a car accident could be. His niece, 16-year-old Hannah Tesch, was in a serious car accident when a 16-year-old male driver crashed near Flagstaff. The car was full of teenagers. Hannah died 9 days after the accident. Bob began researching laws in the state, and wrote his representatives, asking them to do something more to protect teen drivers in Arizona - the only state with a "poor" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Bob started speaking in schools, and to this day, he is certain that tougher laws for teenagers would have saved Hannah's life.
While many lawmakers are against passing laws that "do a parent's job," there is great research to support such restrictions. Studies in other states with graduated licensing laws for first time drivers show a reduction in overall crash rates by teenagers, and fatalities resulting from them, of up to 25%.
Car accidents are the leading cause of teens aged 16 to 17 years, and account for about 40% of all deaths in that age category. In addition, 16-year-olds are nine times more likely to crash than other age groups, and male drivers account for two-thirds of all fatal crashes, just as was the case in Hannah's death. One can only hope for the safety of all Arizona teens that these laws finally get passed this year.
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