Staggering Costs of Teen Driving Accidents

A 2006 analysis by AAA indicates crashes involving teen drivers ages 15 to 17 results in costs of over $34 billion annually in medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, loss of quality of life and other expenses. As a result, AAA advocates states enact a comprehensive graduated driver licensing (GDL) system, whereby teens complete a combination of manda­tory practice and limited driving at night and with peer passengers. According to AAA's research, GDL systems reduce fatal crashes involving teen drivers by an average of 38%.