Missouri Teens Safer On Roads Because Of Graduated Licenses

October 4, 2011
Experts say that young teen drivers in Missouri are being safer behind the wheel and they are attributing it to the graduated licensing program put into affect several years ago. KSPR 33 News reports Sergeant Jason Pace, with the Missouri Highway Patrol stated, “Over the past five years we have seen a decline in fatal crashes involving teens in the state.”
Researchers pulled numbers from more than 130,000 crashes involving teens over the past twenty years from across the country to culminate their results. That is when they noticed a steady decrease in the number of fatalities around the time and in states where graduated licensing programs are utilized, including Missouri.
Although results showed a decline in the number of crashes involving 16-year-olds, researchers found that the number of fatalities for 18-year-olds actually increased. Experts believe this is because many teens are choosing to wait to get their licenses until they are legally adults at that age and do not have to drive under restrictions.
The Missouri Auto Accident Attorneys with Cofman Townsely believe the best way to prevent injuries behind the wheel is to get young drivers exposed to as many situations in the drivers seat as they can in a safe, supervised environment. These experiences will make them better and safer drivers for the rest of their lives. If you or someone you know has been the victim of an auto accident, contact Cofman Townsely for a free initial consultation, and get your questions answered.