Variations in minimum licensing age and fatal motor vehicle crashes

1983

The effect of differences in the legal minimum licensing age on fatal motor vehicle crashes was studied in New Jersey (age 17), Massachusetts (age 16 1/2), and Connecticut (age 16). New Jersey's 17-year-old licensing law was associated with greatly reduced fatal crash involvement. It is estimated that 65 to 85 per cent reductions in 16 year-old-driver fatal crash involvement can be expected if the licensing age is increased from 16 to 17 without increasing fatal crash rates at older ages.