As a travel-services provider for over 52 million Americans, AAA and its Foundation for Traffic Safety are very influential in bringing about new traffic-safety legislation. With the overall goal of reducing auto accidents, improving teen-driver safety is one of AAA's top priorities for the 2011 legislative session, and it is likely to have a significant impact on several important issues.
Texting While Driving
In 2009, AAA campaigned to ban texting while driving in all states. With a similar effort from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, the campaign was quite successful. Eleven states enacted laws banning texting while driving in 2010, bringing the total number of states with such laws to 30. Efforts to stop dangerous distracted driving will continue in 2011.
Graduated Driver Licensing
Every state has some form of graduated driver licensing through which young drivers gradually gain full driving privileges. In general, GDL has three stages:
- Supervised learner's permit
- Intermediate license with restrictions
- Full driver's license
Individual states have varying restrictions for drivers with intermediate licenses. Therefore, AAA and other safety advocates continue to seek uniform restrictions on nighttime driving, driving with passengers and driving under other dangerous conditions to give young drivers more experience in relatively safe environments.
Seat-Belt Laws
Laws that allow police to stop and ticket drivers who are not wearing seat belts, called primary seat-belt laws, have demonstrated success in reducing traffic deaths by increasing seat-belt use. However, only 19 states have primary seat-belt laws, and some carry weak consequences that provide little incentive to teen drivers. Increasing the number of primary seat-belt laws and the impact of the penalties for not wearing seat belts is another key safety goal for 2011.
Unfortunately, auto accidents are common, especially with teen drivers. If you have been injured in an accident, contact a personal injury attorney with experience in motor-vehicle accident cases to discuss your legal options.
Leifer Law Firm on Facebook:
Leifer Law Firm on Twitter:
