DAYTON — Nearly four-year-old restrictions on Ohio teen drivers get some of the credit for a drop in accidents on Ohio roads.

The state Department of Transportation says Ohio saw a 16.7 decline in overall vehicle crashes between 2005 and 2009. Fatal accidents fell 23 percent.

State Highway Patrol Sgt. Doug DeBord tells the Dayton Daily News the trend has resulted from increased seat belt use, better education programs — and the state’s “graduated license” law.

The law that passed in late December 2006 and took effect the following April allows a driver under 17 to have just one passenger who is not a relative.

It also restricts drivers under 18 from being on the roads during overnight hours without a parent or guardian, except for work reasons.