But that's how often teenage drivers crash in this state. And studies show the younger the driver, the more likely he or she is to be involved in an accident. Nevertheless, instead of letting teenagers mature for a few more months or years before giving them a license to drive, the Legislature last year pushed the age for getting a learner's permit back to 15.
That seems to be an invitation to even more carnage, considering the alarming statistics. Teenage drivers in 2005, the most recent year for which we have data, were 7.4 percent of all drivers. Yet they were involved in 27 percent of all crashes.
Research about how the brains of teenagers develop should also help convince lawmakers to keep 15-year-old drivers off the highways.
A University of Utah professor who studies adolescent brain development says a key portion of the brain that analyzes information and selects an appropriate response is still forming when a child is 16, 17 and even 18 years old. At 15, it has a long way to go. Each passing month, and certainly each year, brings better decision-making skills.
That supports the idea of delaying as long as possible the process that grants driver licenses to teenagers. Many driver-education teachers, who deal with brain immaturity in teens every day, say 16 is too young.
It's possible 18 is the optimum age to begin driving. Postponing licensing that long could balance the biological realities with societal demands.
We are not naive enough to push for a change that drastic. But allowing 15-year-olds to drive on the state's busy highways is asking for trouble. Sixteen is also probably too young, but 12 months can make a teenager much more able to avoid a crash that could injure not only that young person but the occupants of other cars, too.
Utah's graduated driver license process that lets teen drivers accept more responsibility gradually as they gain maturity has helped reduce the number of traffic accidents. Bumping the age for a learner's permit to 16 would help even more.
It's possible 18 is the optimum age to begin driving. Postponing licensing that long could balance the biological realities with societal demands.
