article: The number of passenger vehicle teen drivers involved in U.S. fatal crashes decreased from 5,724 to 2,568, per 100,000 people in the last decade . The number of fatal crashes involving teenage drivers has dropped 55 per cent in the past decade, according to a U.S. report. Between 2004 and 2013, the number of passenger vehicle drivers aged 16 to 19 involved in U.S. fatal crashes decreased from 5,724 to 2,568, per 100,000 people. New safety features in cars and graduate license restrictions are among the top reasons for the dramatic drop in fatalities. Ruth Shults, an injury prevention researcher at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta who worked on the report, said graduated licenses decrease overall crash rate in teen drivers by 20 to 40 per cent. Graduated licenses can put curfews on young drivers, putting less teens on the road at night. These types of licenses can also restrict the number of passengers a new driver can have in their car, according to Autoblog. Some states limit young drivers to one passenger, while others only allow relatives and driving instructors. As for time restrictions, some states, such as Idaho, do not let young drivers on the road from sunset to sunrise. Other states have more concrete time periods, such as 11pm to 5am or 12am to 6am. The age in which graduated licenses change from beginner to intermediate to fully privileged driver also varies among states. Eric Teoh, a senior highway statistician at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, Virginia, who was not involved in the study said younger teens might not be getting behind the wheel, which means less accidents can occur. On average, three out of four U.S. high schools students aged 16 or older reported to have driven in the past 30 days when taking a survey . 'An 18-year-old novice is probably more prepared maturity-wise than a 16-year-old novice,' he told Autoblog. Three out four U.S. high schools students aged 16 or older had driven at least once during the 30 days before a survey was taken by the CDC, according to the report that announced the fatality information. The report looked at students in 42 states - California, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington were not included. The percentage of students who drove was higher in Midwestern and mountain states, and it was found to be lower in metropolitan areas.
highlights: Between 2004 and 2013, number of passenger vehicle drivers aged 16 to 19 involved in U.S. fatal crashes decreased from 5,724 to 2,568, per 100,000 .
  New safety features in cars and graduate licenses are among the reasons for the drop in fatalities .
  Graduated licenses decrease crash rate in teen drivers by 20 to 40 per cent .
  Three quarters of high school students aged 16 or older are on the road .
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