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How to Prevent Another Tragedy

On the morning of April 2, 2002, I got the call…

My mother's shaky voice on the other end of the phone reported that my younger sister, Michelle, had been killed in a car accident the night before.

Michelle Miller and Kevin Mihalovich were back seat passengers killed while riding with an inexperienced driver operating a vehicle in violation ofthe provisional license rules. Since my sister's death, I feel it is my responsibility to inform and educate teenage drivers. Driving is a tremendous responsibility that cannot be taken lightly.

My research explores:
I. Teenage drivers have the highest crash record in North Carolina.
II. The purpose of the Graduated Licensing System.
III. The new bill recently proposed in North Carolina to limit the number of teenage passengers permitted to ride with a Graduated Licensed driver.

IV: Notes

I. Why do North Carolina teenage drivers between the ages of 15-19 have such high crash rates?
Most citizens think that elderly people over the age of 70, with slower reflexes and impaired vision, would experience more automobile accidents than teenage drivers. However, teenage drivers, with acute vision and quick reflexes, hold one of the highest age group crash records in North Carolina. According to North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program, "the leading cause of teenage death in North Carolina is motor vehicle crashes."
According to the North Carolina Drivers' Handbook, "regardless of how old a beginning driver is, it takes years to become an experienced driver. During the time available, a driver education course can teach only the most basic skills. Most of the learning must take place on the highway." (1) Thus, due to their inexperience and their irresponsibility, countless teenagers and passengers lose their lives in automobile accidents.

II. In 1997, the Graduated License System (GDL) was introduced in North Carolina and is currently in effect. A driver who starts the GDL process at 15 can receive her full provisional license at age16½. According to North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program, "the GDL system allows young drivers to acquire safe driving skills as they progress or 'graduate' through three stages of licensure. During these three levels, the new driver is permitted to drive in more challenging situations. With just a few alterations in the present licensing system, GDL will help reduce the number of young crashes." (2)

The Graduated Licensing System program introduces teenagers to driving in three stages:

1. A Limited Learners Permit: Available to North Carolina residents between the ages of 15 and 18. This permit requires beginning drivers to drive with a parent, guardian or other approved licensed driver for a full year after the permit is issued.
2. A Level Two Limited Provisional License: Available for drivers who are 16 years old. Drivers are permitted to drive unsupervised between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
3. Level Three Full Provisional License: Granted to those drivers with a clear driving record and six months of driving with no infractions. (3).

III. However, in North Carolina, many teenagers neglect the GDL laws, adding to the high risk associated with teenage driving.

Recent studies conducted by Dr. Robert D. Foss, a research scientist at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, reveal that a teenage driver who carries one passenger has a 33 percent chance of an accident. "The real concern is multiple passengers. Two passengers more than double the risk-a 137 percent jump-and three or more have a similar effect, increasing crash risks by 127 percent compared with having no passengers." (4)
As part of the "Click It and Ticket It" regional campaign, which started on May 11, 2002, deigned to increase safety on the roads by getting citizens to buckle their seatbelts, Representative Debbie Clary of Cherryville along with the help of Senator Austin Allran of Hickory will sponsor a bill that would limit the number of passengers permitted to ride with a graduated licensed driver. (5)
The bill would limit the number of passengers under 21 who would be permitted to ride with a Level Two GDL driver. (5)
The new law, hopefully, will help reduce the number of teenage fatalities and accidents. Parents, do not let your child become a statistic. Michelle did not survive a careless teenage accident. However, you can help save your child by helping this bill become a law.

For more information about this bill contact:

N.C. Dept. of Transportation: Jill Warren Lucas (919) 733-3083
UNC Highway Safety Research Center Contact: Shannon Walters (919) 962-7803

Notes:

1.(2002).The Driver's Handbook. The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles [Online]. Available: http://www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us/driverlicense/DriversHandbook/Chapter4/Safety.html
[2002, June 10].

2.(2002). North Carolina Graduated Driver Licensing Law. North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program [Online]. Available:
http://www.ncdot.org/secretary/GHSP/gdllaw.htm [2002, June 14].

3.Larkin, Joe. (2000, May 6). National Safety Council [Online]. Available: http://www.nsc.org/safetyagenda/transp.htm [2002, June 11].

4. Williamson, David. (2002). UNC researchers show passengers boost risk of young driver accidents. UNC News Services (Online), 12 paragraphs. Available:
http://www.hsrc.unc.edu [2002, June 14].

5. Lucas, Warren. (2002). Legislator Urges Law Enforcement To Improve Safety of Teen Drivers. North Carolina Department of Public Information. Available:
http://www.ncdot.org/secretary/ghsp/May2202.html [2002, June 14].

Additional Resources:

Title of Web page: Provisional Licenses
Web Address: http://www.transportationchoices.com/Graduated%20Driver%20Licensing.htm
Brief Description: Provides information to teenage drivers and parents regarding the Graduated Licensing System now effective in North Carolina. This site also requests room for parental feedback and includes statistical references.
Source of Web site: Cross Country Connection: Transportation Management Association

Title of Web page: Auto Products: Teenage Driving Solutions
Web Address: http://www.infarmbureau.com/products_auto_teenage.htm
Brief Description: Almost 60 percent of all teenagers do not wear seat belts. Teens who do not wear seat belts are more likely to experience an accident. This report highlights the solutions to the problems.
Source of Web site: Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Title of Web page: Teen Driving
Web Address: http://www.autoshop-online.com/cchtml/com.involve.teen.html
Brief Description: A summary of teen fatalities due to car accidents including statistical references.
Source of Web site: Consumer Advisor for Ford Motor Company: Bob Bondurant.

Title of Web page: Gov. Jim Hunt signs NC Graduated Driver Licensing Bill into Law
Web Address: http://www.ncdot.org/secretary/Ghsp/gdlsign.htm
Brief Description: Explanation of the Graduated Licensing system, which allows young drivers to develop safe driving skills.
Source of Web site: GHSP

Title of Web page: Teen driver in fatal wreck had provisional license
Web Address: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe
Brief Description: Two teenagers die in a car crash because the driver was operating the vehicle with a provisional license.
Source of Web site: Associated Press

Print Sources

1. Berger, Robert. Final report on development of the teenage self-test
drinking and driving. Washington, DC: National Technical Information
Service, 1980. (Call Number TD 8.2:D 83/38).

2. Croke, Julie A. Model for Provisional (Graduated) Licensing of
Young Novice Drivers Springfield, VA: Washington Dept. of
Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1977.
(Call Number 8.2: Y 8/2).

3. Kirk, Adam J. Young Driver Accident Rates Revisited: Knoxville, Tenn.:
Southeastern Transportation Center, 2000. (Call Number HE5620. J8 K57 2000).

4. Koop, Everett. Strategies for saving young lives: Rockville, MD: Dept. of
Health and Human Services, 1989. (Call Number HE 20.2:Y 8).

5. Strategies for success: combating juvenile DUI. Washington, DC: National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration; The Department, Police
Executive Research Forum, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention, 1999. (Call Number TD 8.2:SU 1).

One Non-Paper Source:

1. Making Safer Roads. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 1 hour.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1995. Videocassette.
(OCLC No: 34765417)