The main purpose of my petition is to strongly urge legislators, both state and Federal, to take a very, very serious look at the statistics relative to teen aged drivers nationally, but especially for the state of Iowa. Some drastic changes in drivers' training laws and the laws pertaining to teen aged operators of motor vehicles. These forthcoming changes in the aforementioned laws need to be implemented expeditiously, mandated and strictly enforced by local and state police authorities. Iowa has the uncomplimentary distinction of being in the bottom two states in the nation having the worst drivers' training programs and laws governing young drivers.
A comprehensive overhaul of said programs and laws is desperately needed in Iowa - NOW! Through proper and positive changes in Iowa laws pertinent to this issue, a serious attempt would be made to alleviate as much tragedy, sorrow, and grief as possible for the parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends of teen-aged drivers. This is not just a good thing to do - it's the right thing to do!
Why is this important?
-Teen aged drivers have more vehicular crashes/wrecks than any other age group.
-Young drivers carry more passengers and are more likely "not" to buckle up.
-Of all deaths in the 15-19 year old age group in the U.S., 41.4% are directly related to motor vehicles.
-Iowa has the youngest, least trained and least experienced drivers in the U.S.
-An inestimable, but considerable number of accidents and number of lives lost could prevented and reduced with a more in-depth, more concentrated, longer and Iowa drivers' training programs and stricter laws governing young drivers.
