Most teens associate freedom with a drivers license, but for parents it also means daily hazards and the increased chance of being involved in a car accident. A report by the Governors Highway Safety Association revealed that fatalities involving teenage drivers rose between 2010 and 2011 in Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) approximately 2,700 teens aged 16 to 19 were involved in fatal car crashes and another 282,000 were injured in 2010. Overall teen drivers account for $26 billion of the total costs of motor vehicle injuries.
In the tri-state area covering Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas the graduated drivers licensing program is an option for teens who are looking into getting their license. According the CDC, this system has been associated with the reduction of fatal and injury-causing accidents amongst 16 year olds.
If you or a loved one was hurt in an accident where a teenager driver was at fault, the victim may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. Our personal injury lawyers can provide comprehensive legal counsel and assist you through the entire litigation process.
Graduated Drivers Licensing Programs
Graduated drivers licensing programs usually consist of three stages, beginner, intermediate, and unrestricted licenses. The ages and rules set forth vary by state, but most all require novice drivers to receive some form of drivers education.
|
State
|
Beginners |
Intermediate |
Unrestricted |
|
Arkansas
|
- Minimum age requirements:14
- Must have beginners license for 6 months
- No required amount of supervised driving hours needed
|
- Minimum age requirements: 16
- Drivers are restricted form driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
- Drivers may have no more than 1 passenger in their vehicle
|
Minimum age requirements: 18 |
|
Texas
|
- Minimum age requirements:15
- Must have beginners license for 6 months
- Required to drive at least 20 hours with a supervised driver, 10 of which must be night hours
|
- Minimum age requirements: 16
- Drivers are restricted form driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Drivers may have no more than 1 passenger under the age of 21 in their vehicle
|
Minimum age requirements: 17 |
|
Oklahoma
|
- Minimum age requirements:15
- Must have beginners license for 6 months
- Must have passed written driving test
- Required to drive at least 50 hours with a supervised driver over the age of 21, 10 of which must be night hours
|
- Minimum age requirements: 16
- Drivers are restricted form driving between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Drivers may have no more than 1 passenger in their vehicle
|
Minimum age requirements: 16 years and 6 months with drivers education course; 17 without drivers education course. |
States may also apply further restrictions to those who do not take drivers education courses and even further restrictions to teens looking to obtain motorcycle or moped licensing. Certain standards may also be changed by age, traffic convictions, etc. Drivers licensing programs also require drivers to pass all examinations including vision screenings.
In Oklahoma, approximately 25% of 16-year-old drivers will receive a ticket or be involved in a car crash which could hinder the possibility of keeping your license or moving on to receiving an unrestricted license.
Contact our Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident with a careless teen driver and the victim is seeking comprehensive legal counsel, our lawyers are here for you.
At Edwards Law Firm we have been helping clients in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas for years and are highly committed to helping our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
If you’re interested in discussion your situation for free and at no-obligation, contact us at 1-800-304-9246 and one of our staff members will connect you with one of our knowledgeable lawyers.
