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Highway Safety Report Reveals Needed Improvements

Last updated on Monday, January 21, 2013

(UNDATED) - A new national report shows Indiana needs improvement when it comes to highway safety.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released its 10th Annual Roadmap of Highway Safety Report.

Spokesperson Cathy Chase says more than half of all people killed on roads weren't wearing seatbelts. Chase says Indiana has a strong seatbelt law, but adds Indiana lacks an all-rider motorcycle helmet law.

Chase says 750 people died in highway crashes in 2011 and 8,319 have died in the past ten years in Indiana.

Chase says causes vary.

She says Indiana's graduated driver licensing law should be changed from age 15 to 16 to give young drivers another age of maturity. She adds the law should also include expanded and tougher driving restrictions for teens between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Chase adds Indiana also needs ignition interlocks for those who've been arrested for drinking and driving offenses. Ignition interlocks are devices that detect alcohol in the driver's breath before they can start vehicles.

Chase says Indiana also needs a law that would compound charges for those who drink and drive with children in their vehicles.

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