NORTHBROOK, Ill., Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent national
survey from Allstate Insurance reveals that nearly six in 10
Americans favor a federal law that establishes minimum requirements
for state graduated driver licensing (GDL). Survey results show
that support for a national law corresponds with low opinions about
teen driving skills, which received the lowest ranking among all
ages surveyed.
Currently, the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection
(STANDUP) Act is pending in Congress as part of the Motor Vehicle
and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2011 (MVHSIA) or Mariah's
Law, named after an Arkansas teen
killed in a crash involving texting. STANDUP calls for uniform
standards that restrict nighttime driving, limits the number of
passengers in a teen's car, prohibits the use of cell phones while
driving, and issues permits and licenses with specific age
requirements and through a gradual, multi-phased process.
When asked about the specific provisions included in the STANDUP
Act, Americans are solidly in favor of the policies. Key findings
include:
- Seventy-six percent back a minimum age of 16 to receive a
learner's permit, and 69 percent favor requiring three stages of
licensing.
- Seven in 10 Americans favor restricting unsupervised nighttime
driving for those under age 18, and 65 percent support restricting
the number of non-family passengers for drivers under 18.
- When asked about the prohibition of cell phones or texting
while driving for younger drivers, 81 percent are in favor.
- Support for STANDUP and its individual provisions crosses all
age groups, geographic regions, and political affiliation.
The survey also shows that American drivers are highly critical
of teenage drivers, giving them the lowest rating of all age
groups. Eighty-one percent rate teenagers as "average" or "poor"
drivers.
"Results from this survey show that Americans clearly understand
that GDL laws can help save lives, and that a majority of them
support a legislative solution that safely introduces teen drivers
to the road," said Bill Vainisi,
senior vice president and deputy general counsel, Allstate. "What's
needed now is national leadership in the form of uniform standards
for those GDL laws."
About the Survey
The survey of 1,000 American adults was conducted July 13, 14, 16 and 17 via landline and cell
phone and has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent. Of the 1,000
adults, the survey identified 848 drivers who hold a license and
drive at least occasionally. The survey was conducted by Financial
Dynamics (FD) for Allstate.
About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest
publicly held personal lines insurer known for its "You're In Good
Hands With Allstate®" slogan. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary
as an insurer, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to
help nearly 16 million households insure what they have today and
better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance
products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through
Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive
financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and
1-800 Allstate®.
SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company