Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) saves lives

Since inexperience is a leading factor in traffic crashes involving youth, graduated driver licensing makes good sense. GDL ensures that young drivers accumulate driving experience under controlled circumstances.

GDL is a three-stage process:

  • Learner’s Permit: Allows driving only while supervised by a fully licensed driver
  • Provisional/Intermediate License: Allows unsupervised driving with certain restrictions, unusually on teen passengers and night driving
  • Full Licensure

Minimum age requirements and other state-imposed restrictions may be tied to all permit stages. The use of alcohol is strictly prohibited under a zero tolerance policy and all occupants must always wear safety belts.

Pioneers in teen driving safety

The National Safety Council has twice brought together researchers and safety practitioners from around the world to discuss updated research on teen driving performance and behaviors, effects of GDL laws on crash reduction, effects of parenting behaviors on teen driving safety, driver education, how GDL can be improved, and more.

2002 NSC Symposium Findings
2007 NSC Symposium Finding

 

The Hard Truth

Young drivers are involved in fatal traffic crashes at over twice the rate as the rest of the population.

While 3,490 teen driver fatalities occurred last year, an additional 2,165 passengers lost their lives in teen-driver crashes.