Majority of Americans Support National Teen Driving Law

A recent survey conducted by Allstate Insurance shows that nearly six in 10 Americans support a federal teen driving law that would impose driving restrictions on teen drivers, as well as institute a graduated driving license system (GDL).

According to the Insurance Journal, the survey confirmed that the support for a teen driving law coincides with Americans’ lack of confidence in teen driving skills, which received the lowest ranking among all age groups included in the survey. In fact, 81 percent of survey respondents rate teens as “average” or “poor” drivers.

Currently, there is a restrictive teen driver act pending in Congress, known as the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act. As part of Mariah’s Law, the bill named after an Arkansas teen killed in a car accident that involved texting, the STANDUP Act would limit the number of passengers allowed in a teenager’s car, restrict nighttime driving as well as cell phone use, and gradually issue permits and licenses with specific age requirements.

When questioned about STANDUP, Americans said they favor its policies, with support for the act crossing all age groups, political affiliations, and geographic regions, the Insurance Journal reports. Among the findings, the survey concluded that:

• Seventy-six percent of Americans favor a minimum age of 16 to receive a learner’s permit, and 69 percent support a three-stage licensing requirement.

• Approximately 81 percent of Americans support the prohibition of cell phone use among younger drivers.

• Seven in 10 Americans support restrictions on unsupervised nighttime driving for drivers under age 18, and 65 percent favor restrictions on the number of non-family passengers for these young drivers.

According to the Insurance Journal, the survey included 1,000 American adults and was conducted on July 13, 14, 16 and 17 via landline and cell phone. It’s margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent, and among the 1,000 adults surveyed, 848 hold a driver’s license and drive at least occasionally.

Image: Andy Newson / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What’s your opinion on a national teen driving law?