Indiana Traffic Safety Facts: Young Drivers 2011

Abstract

Driver fatal crash rates have decreased in Indiana and nationwide. In Indiana, declines were most pronounced among young drivers, partially due to the phased implementation of a Graduated Driver Education (GDL) system in 2009 and 2010. GDL restrictions and minimum age requirements have produced net decreases in overall crashes and crashes related to cell phone use. Another critical component of the GDL law is an emphasis on driver education programs. Nearly 80 percent of all 16 year olds involved in crashes took a driver education course, though for drivers in fatal crashes, the driver education rate was significantly lower at 67 percent.. This fact sheet uses data from several sources. Indiana crash data come from the Indiana State Police Automated Reporting Information Exchange System (ARIES), current as of March 20, 2012.