The 100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers

As a result, AAA is taking action to save young lives on Ohio’s roads to modernize Ohio’s young driver licensing system by supporting HB 293, the “Young Driver Protection Bill” sponsored by Ohio House Representatives Gary Scherer (R) and Michael Sheehy (D). Introduced in June, HB 293 proposes to modernize Ohio’s young driver licensing system by making two important adjustments:

• Lengthening the Temporary Instruction Permit phase from 6 to 12 months.

• Beginning nighttime driving protections for newly licensed drivers at 9 p.m., rather than midnight.

Ohio’s young driver licensing system currently gives teens just six months to learn to be safe drivers. Research indicates this is not long enough. A 12-month permit phase ensures every new teen driver has the chance to practice driving in all weather conditions with an adult to help keep them safe. Parents of teen drivers in other states with a 12-month permit are extremely supportive.

Nighttime driving protections for newly licensed teen drivers protect them from the most dangerous driving conditions while they are still inexperienced and adjusting to driving without adult supervision. Ohio’s current limit is midnight, but 75 percent of Ohio’s young driver nighttime crashes occur between 9 p.m. and midnight.

Beginning the nighttime driving protection at 9 p.m. helps ensure that newly licensed drivers develop the skills needed to deal with the risks associated with driving at night.

Ohio 2016 crash data reveals that 15-17-year-old drivers were involved in 19,685 crashes — resulting in 555 injuries and 49 fatalities. Teen crash rates are higher than any other age group. Giving teens more time and experience on the road can protect them, their passengers and other motorists.

AAA is working with traffic safety stakeholders to educate the community about the bill and teen driver safety as the summer continues.

TeenDriving.AAA.com has a variety of tools to help prepare parents and teens for the dangerous summer driving season. The online AAA StartSmart program also offers great resources for parents on how to become effective in-car coaches as well as advice on how to manage their teen’s overall driving privileges. Teens preparing for the responsibility of driving should enroll in a driver education program that teaches how to avoid driver distraction and other safety skills. AAA also offers membership discounts for new teen drivers to help keep them safe on the road in case of an emergency.