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Gregor McGavin Online Auto Insurance News Rancho Cucamonga CA, 91730 (909) 784-2475 |
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The DMV is attributing the decline at least partly to the implementation of stricter teen licensing standards.
Online PR News – 08-September-2011 –The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles reports that stricter rules for teen drivers enacted three years ago are paying off in the form of fewer deaths and auto crashes involving young motorists, according to Online Auto Insurance News.
Because teens are far more likely than other drivers to be involved in accidents, insurers have long considered them a greater risk than other motorists, making it difficult for teens and their families to find inexpensive automobile insurance coverage policies.
But Connecticut officials say crashes involving teen drivers decreased by nearly 30 percent—and collisions caused by teens fell about 20 percent—from 2007 to 2009, according to a DMV report released to coincide with the third anniversary of tougher laws for teenagers behind the wheel.
“This is an issue that affects the safety of all of us and our families, and it is very encouraging to see such positive results,” Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said in a news release. “We know there is no magic bullet to prevent all crashes, but the push to educate young drivers and enforce stricter driving laws is proving to be an effective tool that can help save lives.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). About 35 percent of teen deaths are attributable to auto crashes, according to the federal agency.
Graduated Licensing Laws (GLD) in Connecticut and other states have been introduced in recent years to teach teens safe driving behaviors and lessen the risks posed by young motorists.
Connecticut enacted more rigorous teen-driver legislation in 2008, after three consecutive years of at least 13 fatal crashes involving a 16- or 17-year-old driver.
Along with other changes, those laws stipulate that teen drivers cannot be accompanied by anyone but a parent, legal guardian or qualified trainer while driving on a Connecticut learner’s permit. And teens who have been issued full licenses but are not yet 18 are prohibited from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless it is for school, work or religious or medical reasons.
Source: http://www.ct.gov/teendriving/cwp/view.asp?q=413528&a=3369
According to an Allstate survey released last month, nearly 60 percent of Americans favor federal legislation that would implement minimum standards for licensing of teenage motorists in all 50 states.
To learn more about this and other insurance and safety issues, readers can go to http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/coverage/ where they will find informative resource pages and a rate-comparison generator that can help users quickly evaluate their coverage options.
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