The Young and the Restless Youthful Drivers & Your Court

Traffic Law Milestones 1985 – Mandatory Seat Belt Laws1985 – Mandatory Seat Belt Laws 1997 – “Zero Tolerance” Law for drivers under 21 yoa (.0000 BAC)1997 – “Zero Tolerance” Law for drivers under 21 yoa (.0000 BAC)

Traffic Law Milestones 2001 – Open Container Law2001 – Open Container Law 2001 – “Graduated License” Law2001 – “Graduated License” Law 2001 – Increased seat belt violation penalties2001 – Increased seat belt violation penalties

Traffic Law Milestones 2003 – DSC & Deferred denied to holders of CDLs.2003 – DSC & Deferred denied to holders of CDLs – Driver Improvement Program (points)2003 – Driver Improvement Program (points)

2005 Milestones Effective 9/1/2005Effective 9/1/2005 Wireless communication use prohibited for new DL holders under 18 yoa.Wireless communication use prohibited for new DL holders under 18 yoa.

2005 Milestones Effective 9/1/2005Effective 9/1/2005 DSC Required if under 25.DSC Required if under 25. DPS exam for holders of Provisional License.DPS exam for holders of Provisional License.

Common Thread? Most target operation of a Motor Vehicle by ____ ____.Most target operation of a Motor Vehicle by ____ ____. Youthful Drivers.

WHY?

Young Driver Stats The number one cause of death for year olds in the U.S. is ___ _______.The number one cause of death for year olds in the U.S. is ___ _______. Car Collisions

Young Driver Stats This age group only makes up 7% of Licensed DriversThis age group only makes up 7% of Licensed Drivers 14% of Fatalities 20% of reported collisions

Young Driver Stats Number of young drivers ages killed in 2004Number of young drivers ages killed in 20043,523 (NHTSA, 2005)

Young Driver Stats 53% of teen driver deaths occur ___ ________.53% of teen driver deaths occur ___ ________. on weekends.

Young Driver Stats 27% of the fatal teen collisions in the U.S. in 2003 were _______ related. alcohol

41% of teen motor vehicle deaths in 2003 occurred between the hours of ______m. and ______m.41% of teen motor vehicle deaths in 2003 occurred between the hours of ______m. and ______m. 9:00 p.m. & 6:00 a.m. (IIHS, 2004)

Young Driver Stats Staying up late puts teen drivers at high risk for automobile collisions due to drowsiness.Staying up late puts teen drivers at high risk for automobile collisions due to drowsiness.

Young Driver Stats Teens are more likely than any other age group to be involved in a single vehicle crash.Teens are more likely than any other age group to be involved in a single vehicle crash. 65% of teen passenger deaths occur with a ____ driving.65% of teen passenger deaths occur with a ____ driving.teen

Young Driver Stats Nearly two-thirds of teen passenger vehicle occupants killed were ____________.Nearly two-thirds of teen passenger vehicle occupants killed were ____________.unrestrained

Young Driver Stats Based on current population trends, there will be 23% more year old drivers on the road in 2010 than there are today Million

2 Minute Drill Small Group Exercise How are Youthful Drivers different?

What’s all this got to do with me and my court? You Can Make a Difference!

How? The Obvious Fine themFine them Order DSCOrder DSC

How? Creative Alternatives EducateEducate –Offenders –Parents –Our Communities “Canned Speeches” – 2006 project of TMCEC (sign up for a copy)“Canned Speeches” – 2006 project of TMCEC (sign up for a copy)

More Alternatives RehabilitateRehabilitate –Deferred Disposition (b) (10) “any reasonable condition” (Addison, TX.) (Addison, TX.) Brainstorm Drill (Ideas from Audience)Brainstorm Drill (Ideas from Audience)

In Conclusion The stakes are highThe stakes are high Your role is criticalYour role is critical –Prevention of injury & loss of life “A fine is not always fine”“A fine is not always fine” Speak out (with ethics and law in mind)Speak out (with ethics and law in mind) Read articles in appendixRead articles in appendix Check out MTSICheck out MTSI

Questions? The End