From:    Oklahoma Highway Safety Office

Alice Collinsworth, Communications Manager
3223 N. Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
acollins@dps.state.ok.us
(405) 523-1580 or (405) 401-3274

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2010

 

Positive results seen from Oklahoma’s Graduated Driver License law

 

Recent data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office shows a dramatic decrease in the number of drivers age 16-17 involved in crashes since the passage of the Graduated Driver License law in 1999.

The number of drivers age 16-17 involved in fatal crashes between 2000 and 2008 decreased from a high of 69 in 2000 to a low of 35 in 2008.

Fatalities involving a driver age 16-17 in this time frame fell from a high of 75 in 2000 to a low of 39 in 2008.

“Clearly, the Graduated Driver License law is having its intended effect,” said Scott Watkins, OHSO director. “We are happy to see that lives are being saved in Oklahoma, thanks to this legislation.”

Oklahoma was the 33^rd state in the nation to pass a Graduated Driver License law with the signing of SB413 in 1999. The law was strengthened in 2005 when the Oklahoma Legislature passed HB1653.

The law implemented new limitations and education requirements for drivers age 15-17 and allowed unrestricted licenses to be issued only to people 18 years of age or older.

“This is great news for Oklahomans,” Watkins said. “Our goal is to make our roadways as safe as possible for people of all ages, and the statistics show that the Graduated Driver License is saving lives.”

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Fact Sheet on teen drivers age 16-17 after passage of GDL (2000-2008)