Could GDL laws cause fewer car crashes in Wisconsin?

Lawmakers are always looking for ways to prevent and lower the number of car accidents across the country. One program that has been successful involves graduated driver licensing.

Instead of having loose guidelines about acquiring a driver's permit and eventually a license, GDL laws strive to slowly introduce teens to driving with restrictions that aim to look out for their safety. Experts say it works.

There are two states that have the seven major components of GDL. According to the USA Today, those seven components are: restrictions on driving later than 10 p.m.; a minimum age of 16 to acquire a learner's permit; at least six months before unsupervised driving; at least 30 hours of supervised driving during the learner's permit stage; a 16 ½ minimum for intermediate licensing; a limit of one non-family passenger for those with intermediate licenses; and a minimum age of 17 for a teen to acquire a full driver's license.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death of U.S. teenagers, and it's estimated that GDL programs could save 2,000 lives in this country every year. Broken down by state, approximately 36 lives could be saved in Wisconsin every year.

GDL advocates are apparently hoping to get millions of dollars in funding per year for state incentives to beef up GDL programs. They may face opposition from the National Youth Rights Association, however, which says a national law involving GDL would essentially be discrimination.

Do you think there should be some sort of national GDL law?

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