Have you ever heard of graduated driver licensing? It’s an effort to gradually introduce teenagers to driving, and its aim is to reduce car accidents and injuries. Experts say it works, and now more advocates are pushing for millions of dollars in funding for such programs.

According to an article in the USA Today, a report indicates that 2,000 lives could be saved in the U.S. each year if every state instituted GDL programs. The numbers are even broken down by state. According to the report, Tennessee could see 57 lives saved per year.

There are several key elements in GDL programs, and at this point only two states have implemented all of them. Here they are:

• Minimum age of 16 for a learner’s permit

• Minimum age of 17 for a full driver’s license

• Nighttime driving restrictions beginning at 10 p.m. for drivers with intermediate licenses

• Six months before unsupervised driving

• Minimum of 30 hours of supervised driving during learner’s permit stage

• Intermediate license at age 16 ½ minimum

• Only one non-family passenger for drivers with intermediate licenses

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in this country. And for every mile driven, those ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to be involved in a crash.

While every state has some form of GDL, advocates are pushing for national funding. But, they’re facing opposition from youth groups, including the National Youth Rights Association. Time will tell whether federal lawmakers decide to make GDL a more national issue.

Source: USA Today, “Study: Phased-in teen driving privileges could save 2,000,” Larry Copeland, Dec. 6, 2011

It’s probably happened to you. You’re on your way to work, or perhaps on the way home, and the sun suddenly creeps up over a hill or past a tree and seems downright blinding. This can be extremely dangerous, and the best thing to do is slow down or pull over. When it happens someplace where it’s not possible to do those things, extreme caution is necessary.

One driver who claims to have been blinded while driving recently struck an 11-year-old boy riding a scooter. The car accident occurred in a residential neighborhood on Crest Hill Drive late last week.

The boy was apparently riding his scooter in a neighbor’s driveway when the resident arrived home in her Honda. The driver says she was blinded by the sun and didn’t see the boy when she pulled into the driveway.

After the boy was struck, he apparently became pinned under the car briefly, according to a Knoxville Police spokesperson. The boy was not wearing a helmet. According to Knoxnews.com, he was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. His injuries were described as non-life threatening.

Authorities were continuing an investigation over the weekend. Police say charges have not been filed against the driver, at least not yet.

In this case, it’s lucky the boy’s injuries were not more serious. Blinding sunlight can be a real problem on busy streets, and it’s always important to pay attention and drive carefully.

Source: Knoxnews.com, “Boy on scooter, 11, struck by motorist blinded by sun,” Nov. 18, 2011

Drivers headed out for the holiday weekend in Tennessee might notice a few extra police cars. They are aiming to prevent car accidents by cracking down on distracted drivers and focusing on all aspects of traffic safety.

According to The Cookeville Times, the program is called the Combined Message Enforcement for Tennessee (CoMET). The safety initiative, sponsored by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office and local law enforcement officials, is said to be different from previous programs, such as “Booze It and Lose It” or “Click It or Ticket.”

Rather than focus on particular traffic safety issues, the scope will be broad. Officials say the initiative is meant to target distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, unbelted drivers and impaired driving. Distracted driving, in particular, is one problem the force hopes to tackle.

Officers warn that people driving while impaired will not be given a warning. They will promptly be arrested. In 2009, about a third of people killed in traffic crashes in Tennessee involved drivers with a blood-alcohol content over the legal limit.

Officers are encouraging those who take medication to be careful and check labels to see if the medicine can cause drowsiness. As for distracted drivers, anyone seen texting while driving will almost certainly be flagged.

Only one other state is participating in such a campaign. Tennessee is teaming with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As always, please drive safely this holiday season.

Source: Cookeville Times, “Watch out: more cops. More stops,” Nov. 12, 2011

Traffic cameras have been controversial for several years now. Posted at intersections to catch motorists running red lights, some say they save lives and prevent serious auto accidents. Others argue they merely generate revenue by flagging drivers who ordinarily wouldn’t be issued tickets. The practice is so polarizing that some cities are taking the cameras down altogether.

According to the Wall Street Journal, over 550 areas have installed the cameras since the early 1990s. Most major cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have used the cameras. While the cameras have grown in popularity, officials in many areas, including Tennessee, are considering doing away with the devices.

Some believe the cameras are cost-effective and save lives because people slow down and drive more cautiously when they know cameras are present.

Others beg to differ, saying the cameras have succeeded in ticketing drivers and raising revenue, but have done little to actually reduce accidents, property damage and bodily injury. Los Angeles, Colorado Springs and Houston are among the cities that have recently deactivated the devices. Other areas, such as Albuquerque, are currently debating whether to do so.

One problem is that drivers feel blindsided when they receive a ticket in the mail. One expert says drivers tend to be more accepting of being ticketed if they are actually stopped by a police officer.

Another problem is that the system does not allow drivers to argue their case. Sometimes it can’t be proved who is driving the vehicles in question.

If the cameras really save lives, though, should that matter? What do you think? Should Knoxville keep its cameras?

Source: Wall Street Journal, “Cities blink on traffic cameras,” Nathan Koppel, Nov. 7, 2011