CA law has reduced teen driving accidents - California restrictions on young drivers - Brief Article

Modern Brewery Age, Oct 21, 2002

Tougher restrictions on the state's youngest drivers have reduced the number of teens involved in alcohol-related crashes, a new study has found.

After the state enacted the graduated driver's license program in 1998, alcohol-related accidents involving 16-year-old drivers dropped 16 percent the first year and 13 percent the following year, according to a study released by the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Teens were involved in 271 alcohol-related crashes in 1997, but that number dropped to 236 accidents in 1999 and 246 in 2000.

Meanwhile, alcohol-related accidents increased for drivers who received licenses before the licensing program took effect, the study found.

"This new study is the first analysis for California or the U.S. to confirm that graduated driver licensing has a positive impact on drinking-and-driving crashes," said Steven Bloch, a senior Auto Club researcher.

The graduated driver's license law required drivers under 18 to spend at least 50 hours behind the wheel with a parent in order to get a provisional license. Once they earn this license, teens are prohibited from carrying passengers younger than 20 for the first six months unless a licensed driver 25 or older is in the vehicle.

The law, endorsed by the Auto Club and MADD was enacted in response to high rates of death and injuries among younger drivers. At least 33 states have adopted similar programs.