Teenage Lifestyle Teen Driver Restrictions Cut Crash Deaths The more restrictions placed on a beginner teen driver, the less risk of a fatal car crash, say researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Lead author Susan P. Baker based the analyses on commonly found restrictions in existing graduated driver licensing programs that included: a minimum age of 15 1/2 for obtaining a learner's permit, a waiting period after obtaining a learner's permit of at least three months before applying for an intermediate license, a minimum of 30 hours of supervised driving, a minimum age of at least 16 years for obtaining an intermediate state license, a minimum age of at least 17 years for full licensing, a nighttime driving restriction and a restriction on carrying passengers. Comparing states with five program components to states without graduated driver licensing programs, the researchers reported an 18 percent reduction in fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. Programs with six or seven components were associated with a 21 percent reductions. Graduated driver licensing programs differ in each state. Annually, about 1,000 16-year-old U.S. drivers are involved in fatal crashes, according to study co-author Dr. Guohua Li. The findings are published in the journal Pediatrics. Copyright 2006 by United Press International. All rights reserved. - Updated: July 28, 2006   Plymouth Health Online, along with all information provided, is for educational purposes only and is not an attempt to replace the need to seek healthcare services or to provide specific healthcare advice. We strongly encourage users to consult with their chiropractor or other qualified healthcare professionals for personal healthcare attention and answers to personal questions. Plymouth Health Online 908 Penniman Plymouth, MI 48170 Elizabeth A. Sisk, D.C. E-Mail: info@plymouthhealth.org Phone: (734) 453-7090 Fax: (734) 453-9992 Published by Healthy Practices, Inc.     © 2001-2003 Healthy Practices, Inc. All rights reserved.