Adolescents and Driving: A Position Paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine: Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
Abstract
Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of mortality and severe morbidity among adolescents and young adults. All states have changed their drivers' licensure laws to make the process of obtaining a license more protracted and focused on the development of safe driving skills. Health care providers who counsel children and adolescents should actively address safe driving with them, and also involve their parents in this discussion. Additionally, they should also advocate for strict and uniform graduated licensure laws.
Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
University of California, San Francisco, California
Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
Policy statement approved by the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Board of Directors, November 1, 2009