Safe Teen Driving
Arkansas GDL Law on Teen Driving
Arkansas has a graduated driver licensing (GDL) law to teach teens to drive by gradually increase their driving privileges. The GDL program limits nighttime driving, restricts cell phone use, and limits the number of passengers allowed for teen drivers.
There are two prevailing reasons teenage drivers are at increased risk of being involved in motor vehicle-related crashes that result in injury or death.
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Lack of driving experience. Lack of experience means the teenage driver is less able to detect and respond to traffic hazards, causing the driver to have less control of the vehicle.
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Risk behavior of teenagers. Teenagers tend to take more risks as they are influenced by their emotions, stress and peer pressure. In addition, experimenting with alcohol and drugs can impair the teenager’s driving ability.
While learning to drive is a big step toward becoming an adult, keep in mind that teens are not yet adults.
Arkansas statute §27-16-702:
Before an Arkansas driver’s license can be issued to any applicant under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must assume financial responsibility. Any negligence or willful misconduct of the minor when driving a motor vehicle upon a highway shall be imputed to the person who signed the application of the minor for a permit or license.
Whether you’re a teenage driver or a parent, take the time to learn more about teenage driving safety and driving tips at http://www.saferteendrivingar.org/
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
Learner’s and Intermediate License
The Graduated Driver License program was developed to allow teens to safely gain driving experience before obtaining full driving privileges (Act 394, 2009). This law provides for teen driver’s licenses in three levels: learner’s license, intermediate license and unrestricted/regular license.
Learner’s license is for ages 14-15. The licensee is authorized to operate a motor vehicle if accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older. Eligibility for an intermediate license is contingent on no serious traffic violations or at fault accidents during the previous 6 months.
Intermediate license is for ages 16-17. The licensee is authorized to operate a non-commercial motor vehicle. At 18 years-of-age teens are eligible to apply for a regular, unrestricted, driver’s license, contingent on a clean driving record for the previous.
Source: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
Teens & Novice Drivers
Role of parents
Even in states that lack strong laws for teen drivers, parents can enforce rules along the same principles as a model GDL law: They can require practice driving and supervise it and, once their teen is licensed, restrict passengers and night driving.
Supervised practice driving is an opportunity for a parent or guardian to track their teen’s developing driving skills. Research suggests that the quality of practice driving is even more important than the quantity, with teens benefiting from exposure to diverse driving situations while still under supervision. For more information, click here
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Impact Teen Drivers Parents Resources
