More States Restrict Teens' Driving Privileges

The days of of the teenage joyride seem to be numbered. Many states are creating laws to clamp down on teen drivers, who historically overestimate their abilities and are more prone to distracted driving, reports the New York Times. All but seven states ban teens from driving with more than one other teen passenger, and some forbid teens from giving a ride to anyone under 18 who isn't a sibling. Idaho bans teens from being on the road from sundown to sunup, and New Jersey requires teens to place a red decal on their car, the easier for police to spot young drivers.

Not everyone is thrilled about the decals—one parent said they also make it easier for sexual predators to target young people. Teens have also said that many of the laws are easy to evade. Still, most states agree that further restrictions need to be placed on teen drivers beyond probationary driving periods before full licenses are granted. “We don’t want to say that teens are a menace to us all, but the reality is, when teen drivers crash, it’s people in other cars or teen passengers who end up dying,” says a AAA official. (More teenagers stories.)