Safety Program Stressed for Teen Drivers

With the start of a new school year just a few weeks away, the New Jersey Teen Safe Driving Coalition urges families with teenagers in their households to brush up on their knowledge of the state’s Graduated Driver License program through an online toolkit.

The GDL program, which has been in effect since 2001, is a three-step licensing process (permit, probationary license and basic license) designed to help teen drivers gain experience and build skill while minimizing risk.

Addressing risk is essential since car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in New Jersey and nationwide. Last year, there were 49,000 teen-related crashes on the state’s roadways, claiming the lives of 19 teen drivers and 14 teen passengers.

Under New Jersey’s GDL program, a teen may obtain a permit at 16 years of age after successfully passing a written test and completing a minimum of six hours of in-car, driver training. During the permit phase, families are encouraged to schedule practice-driving time to expose their teens to a varying weather conditions, roadway types and times of day.

“Practice is key for building skill and ensuring that your teen is fully prepared to drive solo,” said Pam Fischer, leader of the New Jersey Teen Safe Driving Coalition, a partnership funded by The Allstate Foundation in partnership with the National Safety Council. “That’s why the permit phase is the optimal time to expose your teen to every possible driving scenario."

Once a teen is at least 17 years of age and has completed the permit phase and passed the behind-the-wheel test administered by the state Motor Vehicle Commission, he or she is granted a probationary license. Permit and probationary license holders must also display a GDL decal on the front and rear license plate when they’re behind the wheel to aid with enforcement.

Probationary licenses last a minimum of 12 months and drivers possessing them may only transport one passenger (unless a parent or guardian is in the vehicle) and cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. -- an important note since 40 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. 

Also, probationary drivers may not use cell phones (hand-held or hands-free) or other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Crash data shows that distraction and inattention caused not just by electronic devices, but other passengers, is the leading cause of teen crashes in the Garden State. 

To this end, the coalition also recommends parents monitor their teens’ cell phone use (records can be accessed by visiting cell phone carrier web sites), particularly during times when they are likely to be on the road. 

“This is a generation that relies on their cell phones and other devices to communicate. While they may be particularly skilled at texting with one hand, they’re not skilled when it comes driving,” Fischer said. “No other age group on the road has a higher crash risk. In fact, teens are at the highest risk of being involved in a crash during their first 12 to 24 months of driving.” 

Parents are urged to reinforce the passenger restriction with their teen drivers, as well as teens who are not yet driving but may be passengers in their friends’ vehicles. Fischer called on parents to not only talk to their teens, but the parents of their friends to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

“The key is to discuss the law, establish firm guidelines for compliance and address any violations as soon as they occur,” said Fischer. 

Once a probationary driver has logged at least 12 months of unsupervised driving, he or she may return to MVC and obtain a basic or unrestricted license. Teens who fail to change their license and continue to drive under the GDL program may be stopped and cited by a police officer if they are violating any of the program's restrictions. 

The coalition also recommends that parents make a photo copy of their teens’ probationary drivers license and tack it on the refrigerator or a place where they’ll see it often for handy reference. Parents should make note of the issuance date and 12 months later remind their teens that it’s time to go back to MVC to update their license.

Under New Jersey law, parents of minors (under the age of 18) may also use the information on the driver’s license photocopy to check their teens’ driving records and keep tabs on their safety. If the inquiry uncovers GDL or other violations, parents are encouraged to sit down with their teens and have a discussion about what they’re doing on the road.

“It’s not spying,” Fischer stressed.  “It’s about being an involved, caring parent. Research shows that teens who report having parents that set rules and monitor their activities in a helpful, supportive way are half as likely to be in a crash, 71 percent less likely to drive intoxicated, 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone while driving, and 50 percent more likely to buckle up.” 

To assist families in understanding and leveraging the proven principles of the GDL program, the New Jersey Teen Safe Driving Coalition has developed an online GDL tool kit. From fact sheets and brochures, to videos and posters, the tool kit is filled with free resources designed to facilitate greater awareness, education and advocacy of the GDL program at home and in the community. 

The GDL tool kit can be accessed online. For more information about the Teen Safe Driving Coalition, click here.