ADVISORY/AAA Texas Accepts Proclamation On Graduated Driver Licensing System

    --

WHAT:  The City of Houston presents proclamation to AAA Texas in
       support of a Graduated Driver License system in Texas.

WHEN:  Tuesday, May 8, 2001
       @ 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall (Council Chambers)
       901 Bagby

WHY:   Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for
       teenagers in Texas.

       In 1999, an average of 165 teens were injured or killed each
       day in motor vehicle crashes. In Harris County alone, 5,421
       teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 17 were involved in
       fatal, injury and non-injury crashes.

       Texas teen crash rates are twice as high as the rates for all
       other drivers combined. Studies show that crash rates are
       proportionally higher for new teen drivers at night and when
       teen passengers are present. Immaturity and lack of judgement
       are responsible for more than 95 percent of all new teen
       driver crashes.

       Graduated Driver License laws in other states show a decrease
       in crash rates among teenagers. The most successful laws
       require a minimum six-month holding period for the
       driver-permit phase and a minimum six-month restriction on
       late night driving and teen passengers. They also include a
       minimum of 50 hours of adult supervised behind-the-wheel
       training.

       The success of Graduated Driver License laws in other states
       demonstrate that Texas can save lives by adopting such a law.