Teen Driving
Nationwide, car crashes continue to be the leading cause of death among teens. In 2007, 153 teen drivers were killed on Indiana roadways alone.
In a proactive approach to help educate teens about the importance of safe drivng practices, the Governor’s Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) are working with parents, teachers, legislators and traffic safety advocates around the state to increase awareness about teen driver safety and empower students with the resources they need to drive responsibly on Indiana roadways.
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 crash. Few teens recognize the increased risk of a crash while passengers are present in the vehicle.
One way young drivers can become better equipped to handle the road is through graduated driver licensing (GDL.) GDL systems address the high risks new drivers face by allowing them to get their initial driving experience under low-risk conditions. Parents and guardians can use the basic principles of GDL to help teen drivers gain experience under low-risk conditions.
To reinforce the importance of this issue, Teen Driver Safety Week is observed nationally each October to promote outreach efforts that encourage communities to support the families of young drivers. 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.
Teen Driving Information
- New Indiana Graduate Driver's License Requirements
Effective July 1, 2009
Resources for Young Drivers and Thier Parents
- Driving Tips For Teens
- Be a Good Road Model
A guide for parents of young drivers
Indiana Teen Driver Safety Taskforce
Mission Statement:Dedicated to reducing young driver crashes caused by impaired and dangerous driving.
- Member Bios
- Meeting Schedule
- Upcoming ITDST Events
- Celebrate Responsibly This Holiday Season
- Find out more about Indiana Point of Youth.
- Inquire about the Governor's Council on Impaired & Dangerous Driving.
- Know about the youth services that CJI has to offer.
- Read about the new meth law.
- Find out more about drug recovery.
- Contact CJI and its divisions.
- Find out about the Governor's Commission for a Drug Free Indiana.
