PEORIA, Ill. – Earlier nighttime curfews, passenger limits and other new restrictions proposed for teen drivers in Illinois could significantly reduce traffic crashes, the No. 1 killer of U.S. teens, according to a new study released Thursday.

States with the nation’s toughest teen driving laws have more than a third fewer crashes causing death or injury involving 16-year-old drivers, according to the study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

AAA Chicago spokeswoman Beth Mosher says the findings support legislation proposed last month by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White that would add new restrictions to the state’s graduated licensing program, which establishes provisional rules for new drivers.

“The study shows the effect legislation can have on teen driver safety. Now, Illinois’ laws are about middle of the pack, but under the proposed legislation they would be among the most comprehensive in the nation,” Mosher said.

The study says seven laws placing restrictions on teen drivers are commonly used around the country, including learner’s permits, supervised driving requirements, nighttime curfews and passenger restrictions.

States using the most laws have seen the largest declines in teen crashes, according to the study.

But most states, including Illinois, have three or fewer laws on the books. Only 18 states and the District of Columbia use four or more of the laws.

Mosher said Illinois’ program would incorporate five of the laws under White’s proposal, which includes moving up curfews an hour to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends for 16- and 17-year-old drivers.

It also would restrict teens to one unrelated passenger under age 20 for their first year as a licensed driver rather than the current six months.

In states with at least five of the laws on the books, 16-year-old drivers are involved in 38 percent fewer fatal crashes and 40 percent fewer accidents involving injuries, according to the AAA study. In states with just three of the teen driver laws, 16-year-old drivers were involved in 11 percent fewer fatal crashes and 19 percent fewer crashes with injuries.

“The statistics have shown that we weren’t preparing our teen drivers … Better legislation means we’re protecting our teens on the road,” Mosher said.

Secretary of state spokesman Randy Nehrt hopes the AAA study builds support for White’s proposed teen driving restrictions, expected to be considered later this month by the Senate Transportation Committee.

“Every time we see more statistics that comprehensive graduated driver’s licenses reduce traffic accidents and fatalities among teen drivers, that’s going to help our effort to get this legislation approved,” Nehrt said.

Crashes involving teen drivers caused 260 deaths in Illinois in 2005, according to a task force established by White that recommended the proposed restrictions for teen drivers.