editorials

Minnesota can brag that it tops the nation in areas ranging from student test scores to livability. But here's a No. 1 ranking it shouldn't be proud of: number of fatal traffic deaths involving teen drivers.

Based on the experiences of other states, Minnesota could reduce injuries and save lives if the Legislature would approve additional teen driving restrictions.

A recent Star Tribune article examined the problem. Federal figures show that during 2004-06, young drivers were involved in 18.4 percent of the state's traffic fatalities, compared with the national average of 14.3 percent. The leading cause of death for teens is traffic crashes.

Traffic accident surveys during the past decade prove that certain conditions increase auto accident rates among young, inexperienced drivers. The majority of teen crashes happen between dusk and dawn, for example. And with each teenager added into a vehicle, the likelihood of crashing increases nearly 100 percent.

That's why 46 other states limit nighttime driving or restrict the number of passengers a teen driver can have. And those states have seen 38 to 40 percent reductions in teen fatalities and serious injuries.

But not Minnesota. In previous legislative sessions, the full Senate and the House transportation subcommittee approved expanded restrictions. But the measure stalled in the House Public Safety Committee because its chair and several of its members believe it oversteps the role of government. Some critics of legislated restrictions argue that it should be left up to parents to set teen driving rules.

But so-called "nanny state'' worries ring hollow next to the public safety benefits. This is not just a parental concern. About two-thirds of those killed in car crashes with teen drivers are not the driver, according to AAA figures. Therefore, it's appropriate for government to impose more restrictions on inexperienced drivers for the good of all motorists. During those first months of driving, young people clearly need as few distractions as possible.

Of course, families must be involved in decisions about teen driving. Many parents would welcome the additional restrictions. Beyond "because I said so'' or "it's house rules," they can tell their kids, "It's the law.''

Young people also recognize the severity of the problem, too often because of personal loss. Shannon Otto, a 20-year-old whose brother, Tayler, died two years ago when a car driven by an 18-year-old flipped near Princeton, told Star Tribune staff writer Curt Brown that she had three words for legislators: "Restrictions, restrictions, restrictions.''

Most other states have seen the need to strengthen rules for young drivers. This year, Minnesota lawmakers should take off the blinders and vote to tighten teen driver laws here, too.