While I support and endorse Graduated licensing I must take exception to the idea that it is the key to reducing teenage crashes, injuries and deaths on our highways. Mr. Satterfield of the Governor’s highway safety committee feels that Vermonts Graduated licensing program “has been a key factor in reversing the death rate for young drivers.” Reducing the hours teens can drive, especially at night and limiting passengers would certinally accomplish that. But what about the true results. Did the fatality rate decline for all teen ages or just 16 year-olds. Did the crash rate decline also? Did the number of 16 year-olds being licensed during the period stay the same, increase or most likely decrease? Did crashes and fatalities increase, stay the same or decline after a teen passes through the restricted period age. I would also be willing to bet that less than 40% of the teens and their parents realise that their license can be suspended for 90 days after accumulating six points. Over all we do a poor job educating the public. A strong and agreesively enforced Graduated licensing law is important to solving the problem of teenage crashes and deaths, but does little to address the bottom-line cause… inexperience. TRAINING is the missing key factor to truley reducing teenage crashes, injuries and deaths. TRAINING, providing our kids with the skills they need to handle the emergencies they encounter daily.
Paul Burris
President
Partners For Highway Safety Foundation
Paul Burris is also Chairman of the National Drive For Life Campaign
While I support and endorse Graduated licensing I must take exception to the idea that it is the key to reducing teenage crashes, injuries and deaths on our highways. Mr. Satterfield of the Governor’s highway safety committee feels that Vermonts Graduated licensing program “has been a key factor in reversing the death rate for young drivers.” Reducing the hours teens can drive, especially at night and limiting passengers would certinally accomplish that. But what about the true results. Did the fatality rate decline for all teen ages or just 16 year-olds. Did the crash rate decline also? Did the number of 16 year-olds being licensed during the period stay the same, increase or most likely decrease? Did crashes and fatalities increase, stay the same or decline after a teen passes through the restricted period age. I would also be willing to bet that less than 40% of the teens and their parents realise that their license can be suspended for 90 days after accumulating six points. Over all we do a poor job educating the public. A strong and agreesively enforced Graduated licensing law is important to solving the problem of teenage crashes and deaths, but does little to address the bottom-line cause… inexperience. TRAINING is the missing key factor to truley reducing teenage crashes, injuries and deaths. TRAINING, providing our kids with the skills they need to handle the emergencies they encounter daily.
Paul Burris
President
Partners For Highway Safety Foundation
Paul Burris is also Chairman of the National Drive For Life Campaign