Everyday in America, millions of citizens depend on automobiles to carry them to and from various destinations. They provide a simple means of transportation and offer most individuals a great degree of personal freedom. While automobiles are normally safe to operate, if a driver attempts to maneuver his or her vehicle under the influence of alcohol the results are frequently deadly. "Numerous studies have shown that serious accidents involving alcohol rise sharply when newly licensed young drivers carry unrelated teens as passengers. The combination of inexperience, immaturity and distraction too often proves fatal." (Hartford Courant 3/31/03) A possible solution to drunk driving focuses mainly on younger drivers who choose to drink and drive. Many states have or are considering implementing laws designed to keep teenage drivers safe on the roads. These laws incorporate graduated licenses, which require teen drivers to increase experience before they receive an unrestricted license. I believe in order to reduce the number of people killed or injured due to drinking and driving, more emphasis must be placed on increasing the publics awareness of the physical aspects of drinking, as well as applying new measures to prevent this behavior such as a GDL, graduated driver's licensing law.
A graduated driver's licensing system allows young and inexperienced drivers to practice safe driving as they progress through a three-stage process. This system has a few different advantages over earning a traditional driver's license. Graduated driver's licensing gives young, novice drivers practice in developing driving skills over an extended period of time, which ultimately leads to greater experience, maturity and judgment. (Hartford Courant 1/21/03 A9) It also increases time in supervised behind the wheel training during the daytime and nighttime hours, along with providing education in basic and advanced driving skills and safety.
