Illinois teen driving deaths down 57 percent in 7 years

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says teenage driving deaths are down by nearly 60 percent in the state.

The Democrat kicked off National Teen Driver Safety Week by announcing that is a new low since the state began the graduated driver's licensing program that took effect in 2008.

Illinois Department of Transportation figures show there were 155 teen driving deaths in 2007. That number fell to 66 in 2014, a 57 percent decrease.

The graduated driver's licensing program is designed to prepare novice, teenage drivers by giving them more time to get experience behind the wheel under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Teenagers must earn their way to the next stage of driving by avoiding traffic convictions.

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Online: Graduated driver's licensing program: www.cyberdriveillinois.com