TEEN DRIVER'S GRANDMOTHER KILLED; NEW LAW AIMS TO REDUCE CRASHES INVOLVING YOUTHS.

Byline: Krystn Shrieve Staff Writer

After getting her learner's permit five weeks ago, Megan Whitaker was doing just what a new state law required - racking up the 50 hours of practice and 10 hours of nighttime driving she needed to earn her driver's license.

The 16-year-old was driving her grandmother home about 10 p.m. Thursday, with her mother riding in the front passenger seat of their 1999 Nissan Altima. But the novice driver turned left into the path of an oncoming 1969 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, which hit the Nissan's right rear door and killed the girl's grandmother, Ruth Wibbels, 79, of Simi Valley, officials said.

Misjudging the speed and proximity of an oncoming car is among the most common mistakes made by teen-age motorists, who already are the most dangerous drivers on the road. While there are no statistics available for motorists with learner's permits, authorities say that 16-year-old drivers are involved in 5.4 times more injury accidents - including fatalities - than the average motorist.

``The thing about young drivers is the first year is horrendous,'' said Tim Hurd, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ``In the second year they get a little better at driving. As time goes by they get better with judgment and experience, reading and reacting to situations.''

For drivers ages 16-19, left turns at intersections are second only to speeding as the most common cause of injury and fatal crashes, said Evan Nossoff, a spokesman for the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

``It's a lack of judgment,'' Nossoff said. ``Good judgment comes with experience.''

More states, including California, have passed laws recently to require more driving time for teens before they can take that final test to gain a driver's license on or after their 16th birthday.

California's Graduated Driver Licensing Law, enacted July 1, 1998, requires 15-year-olds to complete 50 hours of driving, including at least 10 hours at night, with a parent or adult 25 or older in addition to six hours of behind-the-wheel driver's education. They also must hold a learner's permit for six months compared with 30 days in the past.

Even then, new teen drivers receive only a provisional license prohibiting them from driving with anyone under 20 unless accompanied by an adult 25 or older. They also can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m.

Arline Dillman, manager of traffic safety for the Automobile Club of Southern California, said it's too early to gauge the effect of the new law on teen-age drivers. Sill, early reports look promising.

The first quarter of 1999 showed a 5 percent reduction of at-fault crashes for 16- and 17-year-olds and a 13.75 percent reduction for 15-year-olds when compared to the first quarter of 1998, she said.

Teen-agers are risk-taking motorists who should benefit from the 50-hour requirement, said Russ Shuster, owner of Valley Bob's Driving School, one of San Fernando Valley's largest driving schools.

``Kids at that age don't always know what's best. They're risk takers. They don't really have the proper perspective on things,'' said Shuster.

``Nothing replaces behind-the-wheel experience. I think kids are definitely much better prepared now than they used to be.''

The new law requiring more driving time has led more teens to begin driving sooner, Shuster said.

``Before, they would come in just before their 16th birthday. Now they get a jump-start on the process and a lot of them start just after turning 15,'' he said. ``The fact that they're getting six months of behind-the-wheel driving experience is more important than waiting until they're older and getting only 30 days of driving experience.''

California Highway Patrol statistics show that in 1997 - the most recent year for which there are statistics - drivers ages 15 through 19 were involved in 484 - or 10 percent - of fatal collisions and 32,550 - or 9.6 percent - of injury collisions.

``The most important thing parents or instructors can impart on teen drivers is to make them aware that they're handling a dangerous weapon,'' said CHP Officer Lou Aviles. ``Used in an unsafe manner, they can seriously injury or kill someone.''

TEENAGE DRIVERS

In 1997, there were 11 15-year-olds at fault in fatal accidents in California; and 350 at fault in injury crashes.

In 1998, there were six 15-year-olds at fault in fatal accidents in California, and 344 in injury crashes.

In 1997, 15-year-olds were blamed for 0.44 percent of fatal crashes.

In 1998, 15-year-olds were responible for 0.26 percent of all fatal crashes.

- Source: Automobile Club of Southern California

CAPTION(S):

Box, Map

Box: (Ran in Valley only) TEENAGE DRIVERS

Map: (Ran in Simi and Conejo only) FATAL CRASH -- SIMI VALLEY