Graduated Driver Licensing is a proven lifesaver
Preserve supervised driving requirements for limited provisional license holders
AMEND Senate Bill (SB) 245!
The Issue:
- Traffic crashes are a deadly and costly threat to North Carolina families that require urgent attention and action.
- In 2023, 1,561 people were killed on North Carolina roads, representing a 22 percent increase in traffic fatalities since 2014.
- Fatalities among drivers ages 15 to 20 have increased 23 percent from 2014 to 2023.
- Teenagers drive less than all but the oldest drivers, yet their number of crashes and crash deaths are disproportionately high. Per mile driven, teen drivers have crash rates nearly four times higher than drivers aged 20 and older.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teens are more likely to misjudge dangerous situations or to not be able to recognize hazardous situations. Teens tend to speed, follow too closely, and underestimate speed and stopping distances. Moreover, compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use.
The Solution: Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) & Amending SB 245 to Preserve Supervised Driving Requirements
- GDL programs introduce teens to the driving experience gradually by phasing in full driving privileges over time and risk settings.
- An important component of GDL is supervised driving requirements.
- North Carolina requires 60 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be at night, for limited learner’s permit holders. The state further requires 12 hours of supervised driving, six of which must be at night, for limited provisional license holders.
- SB 245 would eliminate the supervised driving requirement for limited provisional license holders.
- We urge you to amend SB 245 to retain the supervised driving requirement for limited provisional license holders. This can be accomplished by requiring submission of a supervised driving log as part of a remote application for a full provisional license.
Preserving Supervised Driving Requirements for Limited Provisional License Holders Will Protect North Carolina Teenagers and Keep Families Whole—AMEND SB 245!