NTSB -- NTSB applauds lawmakers in Pennsylvania for stronger teen driving law

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2011

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NTSB applauds lawmakers in Pennsylvania for stronger teen

driving law

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WASHINGTON, DC - The National Transportation Safety Board

(NTSB) commends Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett and the

Pennsylvania General Assembly for strengthening the

Commonwealth's teen driving law.

The new provision prohibits a junior license holder from

carrying more than one passenger under the age of 18 for the

first six months after issuance of the license, unless he or

she is accompanied by a parent or guardian. The law also

makes it a primary offense when drivers and passengers under

age 18 are not wearing a seatbelt or buckled in a child

safety or booster seat.

"Lawmakers in Pennsylvania have taken a major step in

reducing tragic teen highway fatalities," said NTSB Chairman

Deborah A.P. Hersman. "Motor vehicle crashes are the leading

cause of death for teenagers; we know that a teen driver's

crash risk increases with every teen passenger they carry."

The NTSB first recommended a three-stage graduated driver

licensing systems with nighttime driving restriction in

1993. The NTSB expanded this recommendation in 2002 by

adding a passenger restriction, and again in 2003 by calling

for a restriction on the use of interactive wireless

communication devices.

Additional information about the NTSB's recommendations on

graduated driver licensing is available at www.ntsb.gov.

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NTSB Media Contact: Keith Holloway

(202) 314-6100

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