VALDOSTA, Ga. — Georgia is ranked 18th on a list of the safest states for teenage drivers.

Carsinsurance.com recently published a survey that rated each state based on the effectiveness of graduated driving license components, the number of teen driver fatalities per 100,000 population, teen drinking and driving rates, teen emailing/texting and driving rates and the average annual insurance costs for teen drivers which is a reflection of the risk level for the driving group. 

Graduated Driving License is a system that eases new drivers into safe driving habits until their driving skills mature and improve, said Michelle Menga, the author of the survey. 

The system has three stages: a supervised learner’s period, where teens may only drive during certain periods with adequate supervision and either limits or prohibits other passengers; an intermediate license, which requires a road test, that limits driving in high-risk situations except under supervision; a license with full privileges, Menga said. 

She lists five other criteria for a GDL system: permit age, practice driving hours required, license age restrictions on night driving and restrictions on teen passengers.

“There is no standard nationwide GDL system, so laws vary by state, with some more strict than others,” said Menga.

The survey suggests that Georgia could cut teen fatalities by 33 percent with stricter GDL laws, Menga said. 

Georgia has .6 teen fatalities per 100,000 people, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association’s statistic report, Fatalities in Crashes Involving a Young Driver (Ages 15-20) by State and Fatality Type; 2014 Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which is slightly higher than the national average of .5 per 100,000.

Florida could cut teen fatalities by 45 percent with stricter GDL laws, Menga said. Florida has .5 fatalities per 100,000.

Seven percent of high school students age 16 and higher were reported as drinking and driving in Georgia, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

In comparison, Montana has the highest national percentage of 13 for teenagers drinking and driving. Utah has the lowest national percentage with 3 percent. Florida has 10 percent of teen drivers drinking.

Georgia’s percentage of high school students age 16 and older who reported texting and emailing while driving is 37 percent, according to the CDC. South Dakota has the highest percent of teen texting and emailing while driving at 61 percent. California holds the lowest percentage in the nation with 24 percent. Florida has 36 percent of teens texting and emailing while driving. 

The teen insurance rate average in Georgia is $3,859, according to commissioned rates from Quadrant Information Services for six major carriers in 10 zip codes in each state for coverage of 100/300/100 with a $500 deductible for ages 16, 17, 18 and 19 by carinsurance.com.

Michigan had the highest average insurance rate for teens at $7,480. Hawaii had the lowest average insurance rate for teens at $1,108. Florida had an average teen insurance rate of $4,938. 

More information: Visit www.carinsurance.com/articles/teen-driving-saftey-least-and-most-dangerous-states.aspx.

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1256.