ONLINE FIRST: Insurance industry, law enforcement, advocates work to bring Kansas licensing system up to speed

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius signs the proclamation Map of drivers licensing policies in U.S. -- Submitted Photo

TOPEKA -- Representatives of the insurance industry, law enforcement and advocacy organizations gathered Oct. 20 at the Statehouse for a proclamation signing by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. In the proclamation, the Governor designated the third week of October (Oct. 19-25) as "Teen Driver Safety Week." The designation in Kansas is part of a nationwide movement to focus attention on the importance of properly preparing teens for the responsibility of driving.

"Right now, Kansas is lagging behind in those efforts," said Tamara O'Connor, public affairs supervisor for State Farm Insurance's Central Zone. "We tend to see the biggest impact of that during the month of October as the number of 16- and 17-year-old driver claims involving injury or collision is expected to spike nearly 20 percent as compared to other months. According to State Farm's extensive claims database, October has averaged the highest number of teen car crashes from 2003 to 2007."

State Farm -- along with AAA Kansas, Kansas Action for Children, Kansas Department of Transportation, SafeKids and Kansas Highway Patrol -- are among the organizations encouraging the Kansas Legislature to update the state's drivers licensing system.

"With three simple changes to our current system, we can provide Kansas teens with the same level of driving experience as teens in other states," said Suzanne Wikle, director of health policy for Kansas Action for Children.

The three changes being sought by the group are designed to address the three greatest risks to young drivers. Under the group's proposal, the Farm Permit would not change.

* Twelve-Month Learner's Permit. Based upon licensing updates made in other states, research shows that providing a one-year, adult-supervised learning period stands to reduce the number of crashes on Kansas roads involving teen drivers by as much as 50 percent. By incorporating a 12-month learner's permit phase into the state's licensing policy, Kansas teens will be better equipped for the responsibility of driving.

* Six-Month Passenger Limitation. The risk of death among teen drivers more than doubles when there are two passengers in the vehicle and more than triples when there are three passengers. By limiting the number of teen passengers in the vehicle during the first six months of unrestricted driving, Kansas teens will be better equipped to manage distractions on the road.

* Six-Month Late-Night Driving Limitation. Studies show that late-night driving poses a serious risk for young drivers. In fact, teens are twice as likely to die in a car crash during late-night hours. A recent poll by AAA Kansas shows 81 percent of Kansans approve of implementing a late-night driving limitation for teen drivers during the first six months of unrestricted driving.

* Existing Farm Permit. Given the state's agricultural roots, the existing Farm Permit would remain intact under the group's proposal to best meet the needs of Kansas farm families.

During "Teen Driver Safety Week," states across the country point to the number of motor vehicle injuries and deaths that involve teen drivers. In Kansas, teens are involved in roughly 16,000 car crashes per year. And, more than 7,000 Kansas teens -- a number twice the size of Kansas State University's freshman class -- are injured or killed in those crashes each year.

"We're all paying the price of those crashes not only in terms of road safety, but in medical costs as well," said Wikle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 85 percent of all medical costs for crash victims fall on society. And, nationally, employers spend more than $9 billion per year in health care costs associated with crash injuries.

"Kansas is one of just three states that has not yet updated its drivers licensing system," said Jim Hanni, executive vice president of AAA Kansas. "Other states have seen a significant decrease in car crashes and injuries after making updates to their licensing systems. We want to see those same results here in Kansas."

Citing reductions in car crashes among young drivers, 47 states have added either passenger and/or late-night driving limitations to their licensing systems. However, licensing systems in three states -- Arkansas, North Dakota and Kansas -- remain without passenger and late-night limitations.

"As driving conditions continue to change and we spend more time on the road than ever before, we need to update our licensing system to reflect those changes," said O'Connor.