Parents want stronger Graduated Driver Licensing laws for their teen drivers, including raising the licensing age, according to a new report (.pdf file) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Researchers from Arlington, VA-based IIHS surveyed 1,226 parents of 15- to 18-year-olds from Feb. 19 to March 1. Findings show that parents favored licensing policies that include higher permit and licensing ages, long learner’s permit periods with high practice hour requirements, and longer nighttime and passenger restrictions.
Additional findings include:
- 94 percent of parents support enhanced penalties for traffic violations.
- 75 percent support tougher tests, such as tests for full license status.
- 96-98 percent support cell phone and texting while driving bans.
- 65 percent support license status identifiers (decals) on vehicles.
- 61 percent support application of GDL rules for novice drivers 18 and older.
