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Summer brings added risks for teen drivers

Young drivers are being urged by AAA Arizona to take caution during summer vacation months, when they are most likely to spend more time behind the wheel.

Statistically, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, responsible for more deaths each year than drugs, alcohol, suicide and violence combined. According to the Motor Vehicle Division, 15- to 18-year-old drivers were involved in 20,947 crashes in Arizona in 2006, resulting in 106 deaths and 6,950 injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 57 percent of drivers and passengers between the ages of 16-20 who were killed in daytime automobile crashes in 2006 were not wearing seat belts. During night hours, the number increased to 68 percent.

This month, changes to the Teenage Driver Safety Act go into effect and include:

• The age to obtain an instruction permit is lowered to 15 years and six months.

• Anyone under the age of 18 getting their license for the first time will hold a graduated driver license (GDL) for a period of six months.

• With the new GDL restrictions, teens may not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.

• In addition, teen drivers who hold a GDL cannot have more than one passenger in their vehicle who is not a family member.

• Exemptions are made for work, school and religious reasons.

For more information on laws and what teens can do to become safer drivers, visit www.teensatthewheel.com, a Web site that helps teens and their parents navigate the learning-to-drive process.