Allstate Survey Conveys National Support For Teen Driving Law

In recent weeks INN has noted insurers' and parents' support for increased restrictions on teens driving and passing a national Graduated Driver’s License law, and now a national survey conducted by AllState reveals even broader support for such actions.

AllState’s survey of 1,000 adults revealed that nearly six out of 10 Americans are in favor of a federal law establishing minimum requirements for state graduated driver licensing.

The restrictions are reflected in the STANDUP Act, which is currently pending in Congress as a part of Mariah’s Law, but would implement several new restrictions on drivers under 18. Changes would include the restriction of unsupervised nighttime driving, the number of passengers teens are allowed to drive with and prohibiting the use of cell phones when behind the wheel. Also part of the legislation, a three-phase permit and licensing process that would impose these restrictions until a driver could earn unrestricted licensure at the age of 18.

Regarding some of these specific aspects of the STANDUP Act, respondents displayed even stronger support:

• Seventy-six percent support a minimum age of 16 to receive a learner's permit, and 69 percent favor requiring three stages of licensing.

• Seven in 10 Americans favor restricting unsupervised nighttime driving for those under age 18, and 65 percent support restricting the number of non-family passengers for drivers under 18.

• When asked about the prohibition of cell phones or texting while driving for younger drivers, 81 percent are in favor.

• Support for STANDUP and its individual provisions crosses all age groups, geographic regions, and political affiliation.

Overall, the polls’ findings reflects a poor perception of teen’s driving abilities, as among all age groups, teens were rated the worst with 81 percent of those surveyed claiming teenagers are “average” or “poor” drivers.