Cost of Teen Driving Hits $34 Billion, Says AAA

AAA says the cost associated with teen drivers in accidents has hit $34 billion annually.

The motoring organization conducted an analysis for the first time ever on the bill rung up when teen drivers have accidents. It tallied up more than $34 billion annually in medical expenses, lost work, property damage, quality of life loss, and other related costs in 2006 alone (calculated by a broad range of databases and researches).

The group says it's examining comprehensive graduated driver licensing (GDL) as the next step to teen driving safety. A comprehensive GDL system would ease teens into driving through even more mandatory practice, AAA says, and restrictions limiting teen driving at night and with passengers could help reduce fatal teen crashes by an average 38 percent.

AAA President and CEO, Robert L. Darbelnet said, “These economic figures provide one more reason for legislators to improve graduated driver licensing in their states - a proven measure governments can take to reduce the deadly toll of teen driver crashes.”

AAA is encouraging the states to improve their current GDL systems to help reduce the number of teen crashes. Darbelnet said, “States that improve their graduated driver licensing programs will reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths for road users of all ages and reduce crash-related costs that are paid by the state, too.”

What do you think about graduated licensing? Is it the law in your state - and does it really help improve teen driving and road safety? Tell us in a comment below.