TEENAGE DRIVERS
What Teens Should Know
Each day you probably face numerous problems and have important decisions to make, but did you know that two decisions you make could mean the difference between life and death?
Those choices involve your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and to understand all the factors associated with underage drinking.
Remember too that your parents can provide valuable support and assistance when facing these challenges. Research shows that teens are less apt to engage in harmful behavior involving alcohol if they and their parents talk about the subject, so communication is important. If teens believe they are a principal part of the family, they are also less inclined to drink and drive.
It is important to recognize that when it comes to operating a motor vehicle, about 5000 teen drivers are injured or killed in New Mexico each year; therefore, teens should understand that the graduated license system is in place for their benefit. The system enables beginning drivers to become gradually introduced to the skills and responsibilities necessary to be a responsible, safe motorist.
What Is A Graduated Driver License?
Even though getting one’s driver’s license is a rite of passage for every teenager, the fact remains that traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among teens in New Mexico. For that reason, all teens in New Mexico under the age of 18 are subject to a graduated driver licensing system. The system permits teens to begin driving with certain conditions, such as driving late at night or with too many passengers, which are gradually relaxed as they mature and develop greater driving skills. The purpose is to ease beginning drivers into the skills and responsibilities necessary to be a responsible, safe motorist.
GETTING YOUR LICENSE
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among teens in New Mexico. Approximately 5,000 teen drivers are injured or killed every year. Even though teen drivers make up only 7% of licensed drivers in New Mexico, they are the drivers in 16% of the crashes.