New changes to Michigan Teen Driving Law

Michigan teen driving lawHouse Bill 4493 will improve Michigan Graduated Drivers License law to improve teen driving safety.

  • The law limits the GDL level, two drivers, from having more than one non-family member passenger under age 21. Immediate family members are exempt, as well as travel to and from school and school-sanctioned events. The risk of death increases 158 percent with two passengers and 207 percent with three or more passengers. Before this plan, Michigan was one of only eight states without a GDL passenger limit.
  • Restrict GDL level 2 night driving starting at 10:00 to 5 a.m. with exceptions for driving to and from work. This rule changes driving hours; it is not a curfew. Night driving between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., and the hours driving to and from school are the deadliest for inexperienced drivers.

Reasons for passing the House bill is according to the National Traffic Safety Administration:

Michigan Safe Teen Driving insurance programs:

If you are a teen looking for competitive Michigan auto insurance, get a Michigan auto insurance quote to see what great discounts for good driving records, good report cards, and safe teen driving programs are available.

Teen Driving statistics

  • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for American teens.
  • Young drivers are 6.7 % of the total driving population but are involved in 14% of all fatal crashes.
  • 41% of deadly crashes involving teens occur at night time (between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.).
  • Two out of three teenagers killed in motor vehicles are males.

Many studies have shown that limiting the number of teen passengers allowed in a vehicle driven by a teen driver helps make them safer. According to a March 2008 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when teenage drivers transport passengers, there is a significantly increased crash risk, with a higher risk associated with more passengers. With multiple passengers, the crash risk is three to five times greater.

Hopefully, with the passage of this bill, it will insure that driving remains safe for teens.  For more information on driving safety, click what to do if your young driver is in an auto accident, visit the highlighted link.