According to a study conducted by The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, young driver fatalities have increased by 75% from 2014 to 2015. [1] Lack of experience, driver distraction, and understanding of the true dangers that come with the responsibility of driving is most likely contributing to the increasing car accidents within their age group (18 and under).
Although Maryland’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program has made incredible strides to protect teenage drivers, Maryland legislators are considering moving teenage driving curfew hours to an earlier time. The GDL is a three-step program that consists of a permit, provisional license, and standard driver’s license. In the provisional license stage, teenagers are required to be off the road by midnight. Maryland’s new bill, proposes that the teenage driver curfew be changed from midnight to 10:00 PM.
While some may feel that this new proposal is a terrible inconvenience, others believe it’s a step that will protect the safety of teenage drivers. Could this law decrease the fatalities related to teenager driver accidents? If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident, please contact Potter Burnett today!
[1] Source: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/press-releases/2016/10-13-16.htm