Teen Driving by the numbers in Illinois

Prom season means thousands of suburban teens will be out and about hitting the highways to get to dinners, dances, and parties.  Beginning in 2008, the state imposed several restrictions on teen driving.  Here, based on figures from the Secretary of State's Office, is a look at some of those restrictions and how many Illinois teens have been busted for violating them.

RULE:  A moving violation conviction before age 18 generates a Secretary of State warning letter to the parent and teen driver.

RESULT:  Last year, 10,939 letters were sent out to the parents of 16 and 17 year old drivers.

RULE:  Cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers younger than age 19, except in emergencies.

RESULT:  In 2009, 55 teen drivers were convicted of violating this provision.

RULE:  Driver's licenses for 16 and 17 year olds are only good during certian hours.  Their statewide license curfew is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Friday and Saturday.

RESULT:  Last year, 19 teen drivers with instructional permits and 88 licensed teens were convicted in violating this provision.

RULE:  For the first 12 months that a teen as a license, only one person younger than 20 can be a passenger.  After the initial year, the limit increases to one passenger in the front seat and the number of seat belts in the back seat.

RESULT:  A total of 487 teen drivers violated these provisions in 2009.

RULE:  Under state law, parents can revoke their teenagers' driver's license at any time for any reason, until the driver turns 18.  Parents can do so by contacting the Illinois Secretary of State's office.  Driving privileges will not be reinstated until the driver turns 18 or the parents authorize it.  Last year 70 parents canceled their teenagers' licenses.

SUSPENSIONS:  In 2009 a total of 1,202 16 and 17 year old drivers had their licenses suspended, included 294 in Cook County, 95 in DuPage County, 80 in Kane County, 79 in Lake County, 24 in McHenry County and 76 in Will County.