Driving: Risky Business for Teens?  Driving: Risky Business for
Teens? by Joanna D. Brenner  Sometimes it seems as though the
ever-changing lives of teenagers become even more fast-paced
once they get behind the wheel. Social scenes get plucked from
quiet living rooms to capital beltways. But are teens at risk?
From 1996 to 2000, over one out of 10 licensed teen drivers in
Maryland was involved in a crash, according to
parentsofyoungdrivers.com. It's no surprise that a slew of new
rules have been developed for teen drivers since 2005. Effective
October 1, 2005, drivers must now be at least 16 years and three
months of age to obtain a driver's license, as opposed to 16
years and one month, prior to the new bill. Also, during the
first five months in which drivers hold their provisional
licenses, if they are under 18 years old, they are not permitted
to drive with passengers under the age of 18, unless accompanied
by a direct family member, according to www.marylandmva.com.
These drivers are also prohibited fro