Graduated Driver Licensing and Safety for Teenage Drivers
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) eases teen drivers step by step through the challenges of learning driving skills to become fully licensed drivers.
In Oklahoma, teenage drivers have more crashes than any other age group. During their first year of driving, one of every four 16-year-olds gets a ticket or is involved in a crash. Factors that contribute to the high number of crashes include:
- Driver inexperience
- Distractions
- Driving at night
- Speeding
- Alcohol use
Since GDL was passed, the number of fatal crashes involving 16- and 17-year-old drivers has been cut nearly in half. Three key stages of GDL include:
- A supervised learning period that lasts at least six months;
- An intermediate period that allows unsupervised driving in less risky situations such as driving only in the daytime and with limited passengers;
- Full licensure after the teen has mastered all required skills and parents are satisfied that their teen is sufficiently mature for the responsibility.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Safe Teen Driving
- Safe Kids: Countdown to Drive
- Drive It Home
- Oklahoma Highway Safety Office
- AAA Foundation
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- National Safety Council
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- Teen Safe Driving - National Safety Council
- Texting and Driving - It Can Wait
