Many parents become frantic when their children first get their driver s license, and the feeling is equaled only by the excitement the teenager has when getting behind the wheel. Yet there is good reason for concern.
Teenagers have the highest death rate of any age group in motor vehicle crashes.
In 1997, more than 5,700 teenagers were killed in car accidents, and many more were permanently injured. Many states have implemented Graduated Driver s License laws that require new drivers to gain experience over time before receiving their driver s license. The night restriction is credited with reducing night-time crashes by 30 percent. State laws are becoming tougher on teenage driving, but parents can also do their part to help. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Insurance Information Institute say the best protection worried parents can offer their children is choosing a vehicle that reduces the chances of a crash and that offers protection in the case of a collision.