The leading cause of death among American teens is car crashes. One of the greatest risk factors teen drivers face is the number of passengers in the vehicle. Studies have confirmed that with the presence of just one passenger, teens are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crashes. ICJI is working to increase awareness about teen driver safety and empower students with the resources they need to drive responsibly.
Indiana's Graduated Driver Licensing Law (GDL) is one action toward reducing teen crashes. Under the GDL, a young driver is exposed to driving experiences gradually while under supervision, with limited night time driving, limited passengers in the vehicle under the age of 21, and an increased age of acquisition. Studies have shown that a strong GDL, supported by parents and caregivers, reduces the incidence of teen driver crashes. Teen Driver Safety Week is also observed each October. In Indiana, organizations like Indiana Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) are getting involved by hosting events across the state that speak directly to young drivers about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute conducts outreach and education for young drivers using our anti-texting and driving simulator and an all day event entitled "Rule the Road." During a Rule the Road event, young drivers can experience certain common driving hazards and conditions under the supervision of trained emergency driving instructors. For more information visit the link below:
Also, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles offers a resource page for Parents and Teens.