Text of Bill
Jan. 8, 2001--
Accidents and injuries involving teenage drivers are prompting proposed restrictions for drivers under age 16. Two Utah lawmakers are sponsoring a bill that would limit who can ride with teens who have just received their driver's license. Government Specialist Richard Piatt has details on the proposal.
When it comes to driving, 'Experience counts', according to this bill's supporters. They say the rate of teen accidents is so high that it's a matter of public safety.
Blame youthful exuberance, inexperience, carelessness. All contribute to accidents where teenagers are critically hurt or killed. According to AAA of Utah, 85 percent of teenagers injured in car accidents were riding in cars driven by someone their own age, between 15 and 17 years old.
Seventy percent of fatal accidents involving teens happened when the driver was between 15-to-17 years old.
The bill proposed this year is an effort to save teens from themselves, according to Senator Karen Hale.
Sen. Karen Hale/D-Salt Lake City: THERE ARE SO MANY DISTRACTIONS WITH THAT PEER ELEMENT RIGHT THERE, THAT CONCENTRATION ON THE NEW JOB OF DRIVING IS NOT FIRST AND FOREMOST.
Hale's proposal would prohibit new drivers from carrying passengers for six months, or until that new driver is 17. Members of the driver's family would be able to ride with the new driver; and the young driver could operate the vehicle alone.
For Drew Rigby, still recovering from a serious accident where his 16-year-old friend was driving, hindsight offers perspective to this proposal.
Drew Rigby/Injured In Accident: THE FACT THAT I COULD HAVE DIED, EASILY DIED, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN PARALYZED AND I'M NOT. AND I'M STILL WALKING AROUND.
A proposal like this one is bound to meet with mixed reaction from those who it affects. This young driver says he simply disagrees with such a law.
Christian Tucker/Teen Driver: I FEEL THEY TEACH YOU THAT IN DRIVER'S ED. SO YOU ALREADY KNOW THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DRIVING AND THE RULES OF THE ROAD.
But the fact is that a teenager is involved in a crash once every half hour according to AAA. This bill is meant to give new drivers a little more experience before they start carrying their friends around.
