The Facts About Teen Driving

The Numbers Every ten minutes a teen crashes in New Jersey. In 2008, there were 56,962 crashes involving teen drivers between 16 and 20 years of age.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in New Jersey and nationwide for young people between the ages of 16 and 20.

An average of 6,000 teens die and approximately 300,000 are injured in motor vehicle crashes each year nationwide.

In New Jersey, teen crashes are most often the result of overconfidence behind the wheel coupled with distraction, inexperience, speeding, and/or failure to yield.

Seat belt use among teens is the lowest for any age group.

More male drivers than female drivers are involved in teen crashes.

More teen crashes in New Jersey occur in May than any other month and on a Friday than any other day of the week.

The most dangerous time on the road for teen drivers in New Jersey is between 3 and 6 p.m., followed by Noon and 3 p.m.

In New Jersey, teens represent the largest contingent of drivers involved in crashes. They account for six percent of the licensed drivers in the state, but are involved in 13 percent of the crashes.

In 2008, 36 teen drivers and 23 teen passengers, in a car driven by a teen, lost their lives in traffic crashes. In 2007, 35 teen drivers and 33 teen passengers tragically lost their lives in crashes.

The Law*

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law:

May not drive between 12:01 and 5 a.m.

May not have more than one friend (non-family member) in their car.

May not use a cell phone (hand- held or hands-free), ipod or any other electronic device.

Must ensure that they and all of their passengers wear seat belts.

Face a fine of $100 and possible license suspension for violation of the GDL law.

May not plea bargain any point carrying offense.

The following changes to the law take effect on May 1, 2010:

The curfew will become 11:01 p.m. to 5 a.m., while the name of the provisional license will change to “probationary.”

(NOTE: This one passenger restriction does not apply if the driver is accompanied by a parent or guardian.)

All GDL holders (with permit or probationary licenses) under 21 years of age will also be required to display a decal on their vehicles when behind the wheel.

Free Parent Access to Teen Driving Records

New Jersey law allows parents to review what is on their minor teen’s (under 18 years of age) driving record or “abstract” free of charge.

A verbal overview may be provided to a parent toll-free by calling the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) at (888) or by visiting an MVC agency. A paper copy may be requested for a $15 fee. MVC agency

When calling or visiting MVC to request this information, the parent must supply his/her and the teen’s full names, dates of birth, home address and driver license numbers

The MVC agent will advise you of any accidents, violations, municipal court and/or MVC administrative actions, as well as privilege status on the teen’s record

Quiz Time How much did you remember?

1. Every _____ _________ a teen crashes in New Jersey.

1. Every ten minutes a teen crashes in New Jersey.

2.In 2008, there were __________crashes involving teen drivers between ___and ____ years of age.

3.In 2008, there were 56,962 crashes involving teen drivers between 16 and 20 years of age.

3.An average of ________teens die motor vehicle crashes each year nationwide.

3. An average of 6,000 teens die motor vehicle crashes each year nationwide.

4. The most dangerous time on the road for teen drivers in New Jersey is between __ and ______, followed by ______and _______.

4. The most dangerous time on the road for teen drivers in New Jersey is between 3 and 6 p.m., followed by Noon and 3 p.m.

5. More __________drivers than __________drivers are involved in teen crashes.

5. More male drivers than female drivers are involved in teen crashes.

6. In New Jersey, teen crashes are most often the result of __________________________ coupled with distraction, ______________, ___________, and/or failure to yield.

6.In New Jersey, teen crashes are most often the result of overconfidence behind the wheel coupled with distraction, inexperience, speeding, and/or failure to yield.

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law: 7. Face a fine of ______ and possible __________ _______for violation of the GDL law.

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law: 7. face a fine of $100 and possible license suspension for violation of the GDL law.

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law: 8. May not drive between _____ and ________.

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law: 8. May not drive between 12:01 and 5 a.m.

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law: 9.Must ensure that they and all of their passengers _____ _____ _________.

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law: 9.Must ensure that they and all of their passengers wear seat belts.

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law: 10.May not have more than ___________________________ in their car.

Teens (16-20 years of age) holding a provisional license under New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law: 10.May not have more than one friend (non-family member) in their car.