AAA Texas Says October Most Dangerous Month for Teen Drivers in Texas

    HOUSTON--Oct. 17, 2002--October has been the most dangerous month for teen drivers in Texas for the past 25 years, according to AAA Texas. To help reduce teen traffic deaths, Governor Rick Perry has proclaimed October "Teen Safe Driving Month" in Texas, urging all motorists to support and participate in efforts that help teens become safer drivers.
    AAA Texas, which sponsored the state's new Graduated Driver License law, reviewed statistics going back to 1975 and found that on average more teens, aged 15 to 17, are killed or injured in October than any other month of the year. No specific reason could be found for this trend.
    "AAA Texas believes that the Graduated Driver License law will help make October and every other month safer for teen drivers," said Anne O'Ryan, manager of public relations for AAA Texas. "The law requires teens to have more practice behind the wheel before they obtain full licenses."
    Far more teen drivers are injured and killed in October than any other month of the year. During the 1980s and 1990s, October's teen driver injury and death rate was 32 to 42 percent higher than any other month of the year.
    "The good news is that the October percentages have been decreasing over the past 25 years, but they are still far too high," said O'Ryan. "Teens need to be aware that driving is a responsibility that must be taken seriously."
    Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death throughout the year for Texas teens. The Graduated Driver License, which took effect January 1st of this year, requires that anyone under age 18 who applies for an instructional permit for the first time must progress through a three-stage system to obtain a full driver license.
    Forty-six states have Graduated Driver License laws. In California, teen driver deaths and injuries have been reduced 24% since the law took effect in 1998. Michigan has seen a 33% reduction in crashes involving teen drivers.
    AAA Texas has published a brochure providing information about the Texas Graduated Driver License Law. The brochure called, "Teen Drivers: A Guide to Texas' New Graduated Driver License" is available to the public for free in English and Spanish at all AAA Texas offices and on the Internet at http://www.aaa-texas.com.
    AAA Texas, an affiliate of the AAA, co-sponsored the Graduated Driver License law in Texas. Today, more than a million AAA Texas members benefit by the organization's roadside assistance service, travel agency, financial products, automotive pricing, buying and financing, trip planning services, and traffic safety programs. The organization has been serving Texans since 1902.