Note that the laws and restrictions can vary from state to state. This approach can reduce your teen's crash risk by as much as 50%. To help your teen stay safe behind the wheel, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have a three-stage graduated driver licensing (GDL) system that limits high-risk driving situations for new drivers. They speed, they make mistakes, and they get distracted easily – especially if their friends are in the car. Teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of their immaturity, lack of skills, and lack of experience. One thing is certain: teens aren't ready to have the same level of driving responsibility as adults. Your teen sees a driver's license as a step toward freedom, but you might not be sure your teen is ready for the road.