Now that high school is not in session and summer is not too far away many teen drivers enjoy spending time behind the wheel.

The American Automobile Association said recently that statistically car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, more so than drugs, alcohol, suicide and violence combined.

According to the Motor Vehicle Division, 15 to 18 year-old drivers were involved in 20,947 crashes in Arizona in 2006. Of these crashes, 106 resulted in deaths and 6,950 resulted in injuries.

Recent news from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 57 percent of drivers and passengers between the ages of 16 and 20 who were killed in daytime car crashes in 2006 were not wearing seat belts.

That figure increased to 68 percent for young passengers and motorists who drive at night.

“Because night time hours are some of the most dangerous for teen drivers, and since the risk of a crash doubles with each additional passenger, the state legislature passed the Teenage Driver Safety Act(TDSA), which will go into effect on July 1, 2008,” said Linda Gorman, the public affairs manager for AAA in Arizona. “Beginning July 1, night time and passenger restrictions will be placed on new teen drivers under the age of 18 for a period of six months before acquiring their full unrestricted class G license.”

The following changes go into effect on July 1, 2008 as part of the Teenage Driver Safety Act:

√ The age to obtain an instruction permit is lowered to 15 years and six months.

√ Anyone under the age of 18 getting their license for the first time will hold a graduated driver license (GDL) for a period of six months.

√ With the new GDL restrictions, teens may not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m.

√ In addition, teen drivers who hold a GDL cannot have more than one passenger in their vehicle who is not a family member.

√ Exemptions are made for work, school and religious reasons.

  “According to a recent AAA Arizona online poll, 90 percent of respondents are unfamiliar with the new law, so it is extremely important for parents of teens to know the startling statistics and what new restrictions will be placed on new teen drivers,” Gorman said.  

   For more information on the laws and what teens can do to be a safer driver, visit www.teensatthewheel.com, a new website that helps teens and their parents navigate the learning-to-drive process.