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Teen traffic-related deaths trending downward in Illinois and Iowa

Once a teenager receives their driver’s license, they are more likely to be an a fatal automobile accident than any other age group; however, the number o...

Once a teenager receives their driver's license, they are more likely to be an a fatal automobile accident than any other age group; however, the number of teenage driver related fatalities is on the downfall.

In an effort to raise awareness of teen drivers, October 20-24 is known nationwide as National Teenage Driver Safety Week.

In 2011, about 2,650 teens in the United States aged 16-19 were killed and almost 292,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle accidents, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Illinois, teen driving deaths are down by nearly 55 percent, according to Secretary of State Jesse White.

Iowa's teen driving deaths has steadily dropped from 64 in 2008, to 49 in 2012.

Illinois and Iowa officials credit programs like the Graduated Driver Licensing law, which requires teen drivers to log more hours with their parents and driving instructors.

"It gives the students a lot more practice behind the wheel," said Brandi McGuire, the director of Skiles Driving School in East Moline.

McGuire said student drivers in Illinois are required to log 50 hours of drive time with their parents, six hours with an instructor and 30 hours of classroom time before they can receive their driver's license.

In Illinois, those who don't complete a driver's education course are not eligible to receive their driver's license until they are 21.

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