New Mexico's graduated driver's-license system seems to be producing positive results when it comes to the numbers of teen drivers who have died in crashes since a graduated-license system took effect in 2000.

There was an initial drop in the number of fatalities, from 31 to 23, between 2000 and 2001. And, in six other years since then, the number of fatalities was lower than the 2000 level. In only two years since 2000 was the number higher than the 31 deaths in 2000, the statistics from the Traffic Safety Bureau show.

The average number of teen drivers killed each year from 2000 to 2008 was 28.

The statistics do not include nonfatal crashes, something Sen. Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, who sponsored the license law, would like to see.

"It looks like it's working, but it's hard to tell from these statistics," she said.

Feldman said the question of whether the law is working is too complicated to answer just by looking at fatality statistics, because it's unknown who was at fault in the crash, whether additional training played a role, or whether alcohol consumption by the other driver, if there was one, was involved.

When she sponsored the law, it was about getting teens to have more experience driving before having full privileges.

"I was looking at trying to increase on-the-road, behind-the-wheel training, and in that respect, is has worked," she said.

Feldman said she'll consider asking for a study of teen-driver statistics, including those from other states.

Teen driving is in the spotlight after a June 28 crash that left four teenagers dead. Law enforcement authorities say Scott Owens had a blood-alcohol content of .16 nearly four hours after he crashed into a car with five teens inside.

The only teen to survive the crash on Old Las Vegas Highway was driving on a provisional license. Holders of those licenses are barred from driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and from driving with more than one other person under 21 in the car who is not an immediate family member.

The driver, 16-year-old Avree Koffman, didn't have alcohol in her system, authorities said.

Under the graduated-licensing law, six months before a teen's 16th birthday, a driver who has held a learner's permit can get a probationary license after completing classroom instruction and at least 50 hours — including 10 night hours — of supervised driving. The minimum age for a learner's permit is 15.

After driving without incident for a year on a probationary license, a 16-year-old can get an unrestricted license. Teens who don't go through the graduated system can seek unrestricted licenses at 18.

In all, 310 teen drivers have been killed in motor vehicle crashes since 1998, according to the data.

In 114 of those deaths, the teen drivers had alcohol in their system; in five of those cases, the drivers were under 16.

In the wake of the crash, some lawmakers are thinking about changes to state law that might help keep teen drivers off the streets during prohibited hours.

Rep. Brian Egolf, a Santa Fe Democrat, said he's considering a bill under which teen drivers with restricted licenses would have to display a marker on their car, such as a bright yellow triangle in the back window.

"So if a police officer sees a triangle past a certain time, they could immediately pull them over," Egolf said.

The idea came up at a recent DWI forum in Santa Fe, he said. It would require working through some potential loopholes, including a punishment for teens who don't display the triangle.

Egolf also said the state could consider increasing the teen driving age.

"You can get a provisional license at 15 and a half, so maybe we make it 16," he said.

Overall, Egolf said he expects DWI and teen driving to be issues during the 2010 legislative session.

"It seems like this happens far too often, and we're reactive," he said. "Unfortunately, the liquor lobby is so strong."

Contact Kate Nash at 968-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.

N.M. TEEN DRIVER DEATHS

2000: 31

2001: 23

2002: 40

2003: 30

2004: 30

2005: 35

2006: 25

2007: 23

2008: 19