New York
Deaths in Crashes Involving Teen Drivers in New York
In 2010, 156 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers in New York. Over the past five years, New York crashes involving teen drivers claimed 1010 lives. Nationally, since 2000, more than 85,000 people have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers.
Graduated Driver Licensing Laws in New York
The current GDL law in New York includes the following components:
- A three-stage licensing system beginning at age 16 for learner’s permit, age 16 years and 6 months for the intermediate stage, and age 18 for full licensure (age 17 for teens who complete driver education)
- A mandatory holding period during the learner’s permit stage of up to 6 months
- A minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving during the learner’s permit stage, at least 15 of which must be done at night
- A prohibition on unsupervised nighttime driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the intermediate stage
- A passenger restriction prohibiting more than one passenger younger than age 21 unless a parent or guardian is in the vehicle
- A prohibition on non-emergency use of hand-held cell phones for drivers of all ages
- A prohibition on texting while driving for all drivers (secondary enforcement)
These changes are needed to improve New York’s GDL law and meet the requirements of the STANDUP Act
- Strengthen the minimum age for full licensure by removing the exception for teens who complete driver education
- Strengthen the prohibition on non-emergency use of cell phones by adding a prohibition on use of hands-free cell phones during the learner’s permit and intermediate stages
For more information and to contact your state representative, please visit: www.assembly.state.ny.us or www.senate.state.ny.us.
To contact your Member of Congress about the STANDUP Act, S. 528 / H.R. 1515, please visit: http://www.capitolconnect.com/saferoads4teens/
