Teen drivers getting more careful

(WPRI) -- A new study finds a promising trend when it comes to teens and crashes, but there's still some work to be done.

During the summer, teens with their driver's licenses can spend a lot more time on the roadways: driving to work, to see friends, or helping out with family chores.

The good news for worried parents concerned about their teens driving in the summer season: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports a drastic decrease in deadly teen driving crashes.

• Click here to read more details from the IIHS's website.

It's practically a summer ritual for teens and young adults: Driving with your windows down, your friends in the car, and music playing. While the summer months can often bring higher crash rates on the roads due to such distractions, it seems that teen drivers are becoming more cautious.

"We've seen really dramatic reductions in teens' fatal crash rates over the last 15 years or so," said the IIHS's Anne McCartt. "We think the biggest factor in that is states passing graduated licensing laws."

However, new IIHS research finds more than 500 additional lives could be saved, and almost 10,000 collisions averted, if all states strengthened teen licensing laws by adopting five standards that would make teens wait longer to get their licenses, and place restrictions on new drivers.

Those suggested restrictions include:

• Minimum age of 16 to get a learner's permit
• Minimum of 65 hours of practice
• Minimum age of 17 to get a driver's license
• Night driving restrictions, starting at 8:00 p.m.
• Ban on teen passengers

Regardless of state guidelines, the IIHS says it's paramount that parents carefully gauge whether their teen is ready to get behind the wheel.

Another major concern is to eliminate the use of cell phones while driving, such as texting and talking on the phone. Talking with your teens about the dangers and risks of distracted driving behaviors can make a huge difference when it comes to their safety.