In 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted an intensive study of our nation’s Driver Education system. In the detailed report and publication “A Fresh Look at Driver Education in America” they concluded the following:
“Current driver education appears to do a good job of preparing students to pass the licensing exam. The expectation that driver education will lead to a decreased teen crash rate is unrealistic and beyond what current practice can be expected to achieve.”
This low standard of training explains why “driver error” is the leading cause of teen motor vehicle fatalities, and has been for decades, as reported annually by NHTSA and the Centers for Disease Control.
Because vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers in America, we believe a system focused on merely passing a low-skill test is unacceptable for novice drivers and their families. We believe implementing a higher standard for driver education and training would significantly reduce preventable errors that lead to crashes, and all too often deaths.
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By signing this petition, I am adding my voice to the list of others who believe that driving is a skill-based, quality of life activity and as such, should require higher standards of education and training to obtain licensure. With over 80% of teen vehicle fatalities statistically deemed “driver error” we need education and training standards that can significantly reduce the life ending mistakes currently being experienced.