New York state was one of the first in the union to institute a graduated driving license program for teenagers and first-time drivers. These provisional licenses are meant as a way to help ease inexperienced drivers into the system; get them accustomed to driving on the roads before giving them full privileges to be there at all times, any time.

Some have criticized the graduated licensing system saying it puts undue hardship on teens who have jobs or extra study and need to be able to drive any time without hindrance. But a new study showing that the New York program is actually saving lives refutes any claims that graduated licenses aren’t helping teenagers.

In fact, the New York program is so good, the Insurance Institute Of Highway Safety and Highway Loss (which commissioned a recent study proving the NY program saved teen lives) said the program should be copied by every state in the union and made mandatory for all teen drivers.

Graduated licensing helps new teen drivers gradually develop road and car-negotiation skills through three stages: a supervised learner’s period, an intermediate license (after passing a road test) that limits driving in high-risk situations except under supervision, and a license with full privileges.

The institute says more than 500 lives a year could be saved and more than 9,500 collisions could be prevented yearly if every state enacted the five essential components of young driver laws in the nation.