Text of Bill
Jan. 19, 2001--
Some Utah lawmakers believe teenagers should get six months of driving experience before they can drive with their friends.
And today, they toughened up a bill designed to make teens more responsible drivers.
Government Specialist RIchard Piatt is live with the story.
Initially, the bill's sponsor wanted to make sure 16 and 17-years-old got all the training necessary to drive with their friends.
But today - her peers extended that restriction to 18-year-olds.
Drew Rigby/Accident victim: "NEW DRIVERS NEED A WHILE TO GET USED THE ROAD, TO BE MATURE."))
You might expect teens to oppose any limits on their driving privileges.
But Drew Rigby is one who thinks teens need six months of driving experience before they can drive with friends.
Three months ago, the 16-year-old broke his back in a crash with a friend who'd only had his license a few weeks.
Drew Rigby/Accident victim: "THERE'S A LOT OF DISTRACTIONS ON THE ROAD, FRIENDS IN THE CARS."
Rigby supports Senator Karen Hale's proposal prohibiting new drivers from carrying passengers for the first six months they have their license.
Members of the driver's family would be able to ride with the driver, or the teen could drive alone.
Sen. Karen Hale/D-Salt Lake City: "THE RISK OF FATAL INJURY FOR A 16 OR 17-YEAR-OLD DRIVER INCREASES WITH THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS."
In fact, the risk rises substantially.
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.
And 70 percent of fatal accidents involving teens happened when the driver was under 17 years old.
Hale originally wanted the restriction to expire when the teen reaches the age of 17.
But others on the Senate Transportation and Public Safety Standing Committee voted to strengthen the bill by raising the age to 18.
That means that any teen who gets their license between the age of 16 and 18 will have to get six months of driving experience before they drive with their friends.
Some have called this bill an effort to save teens from themselves.
It now will be debated by the full Senate.
