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Feb. 16, 2005
Proposed legislation would restrict teen driving
On Jan. 28, Delegate William A. Bronrott (D-Montgomery) proposed three bills that would restrict teen driving. Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has proposed three other pieces of teen driving reform.
The first of Bronrott's bills would allow minors in the first six months of their provisional period to drive only passengers who are family members. The second bill would prohibit minors from using cell phones while driving during their provisional period. The last of his bills would increase the required number of supervised driving hours from 40 to 60, 10 of which must be at night.
Ehrlich's bills would increase the learner's permit period from four to six months, add a 90-day license suspension for provisional drivers who violate seatbelt and curfew laws and revoke the licenses of drivers under 21 years of age who are convicted of driving under the influence until they turn 21. Bronrott supports Ehrlich's proposals, although he said he does not know whether the governor supports his.
Teen driving has recently become an extremely prominent issue. "The recent rash of teen-driving deaths has been a huge wake-up call," said Bronrott. He said that "the bottom-line concerns are the four Is: inattention, inexperience, impairment and the false sense of invincibility.” In addition to the human costs, Bronrott claims that the state of Maryland loses $4 billion a year from deaths, injuries and property damage resulting from highway accidents.
Although similar bills have been rejected in the past, this time, Bronrott said, "I think they have the votes." He also points to public service messages on driving safety being broadcast by Comcast and popular black bracelets that read "Drive-Think-Live." "I think the momentum is there," he said.
On Feb. 9, sophomore Adam Yalowitz testified before the House of Delegates, along with 11 other teenagers, regarding the proposed legislation. He said he was surprised by the amount of support from high-school students for the proposed driving restrictions. He claimed that the proportion of students who support the regulations is "about 50/50" because "it's common sense."
Although teens will likely be wary of legislation that would restrict their freedom, Bronrott stressed that the bills are "not highly punitive. I think this can be the year of the teen driver," he said.
Congressman Pete Visclosky of District 1 Indiana (left) and Delegate William Bronrott of District 16 Montgomery County (right) talk to students in National, State and Local Government classes.
The first of Bronrott's bills would allow minors in the first six months of their provisional period to drive only passengers who are family members. The second bill would prohibit minors from using cell phones while driving during their provisional period. The last of his bills would increase the required number of supervised driving hours from 40 to 60, 10 of which must be at night.
Ehrlich's bills would increase the learner's permit period from four to six months, add a 90-day license suspension for provisional drivers who violate seatbelt and curfew laws and revoke the licenses of drivers under 21 years of age who are convicted of driving under the influence until they turn 21. Bronrott supports Ehrlich's proposals, although he said he does not know whether the governor supports his.
Teen driving has recently become an extremely prominent issue. "The recent rash of teen-driving deaths has been a huge wake-up call," said Bronrott. He said that "the bottom-line concerns are the four Is: inattention, inexperience, impairment and the false sense of invincibility.” In addition to the human costs, Bronrott claims that the state of Maryland loses $4 billion a year from deaths, injuries and property damage resulting from highway accidents.
Although similar bills have been rejected in the past, this time, Bronrott said, "I think they have the votes." He also points to public service messages on driving safety being broadcast by Comcast and popular black bracelets that read "Drive-Think-Live." "I think the momentum is there," he said.
On Feb. 9, sophomore Adam Yalowitz testified before the House of Delegates, along with 11 other teenagers, regarding the proposed legislation. He said he was surprised by the amount of support from high-school students for the proposed driving restrictions. He claimed that the proportion of students who support the regulations is "about 50/50" because "it's common sense."
Although teens will likely be wary of legislation that would restrict their freedom, Bronrott stressed that the bills are "not highly punitive. I think this can be the year of the teen driver," he said.
Discuss this Article
The night driving requirement is important though. Is that a requirement already?
nice job on that. you really know how to write quotes and contruct paragraphs. best wishes!
P.S. 36% of your students are dirtay and sick!
If these bills pass.... suck it up and do the extra 20 hours, wait the extra 2 months. If that saves ONE life, which i gaurantee you it will, it was worth it.
thanks
tiffany
I just moved here from another country and am alarmed to find out that America is not a free country. In fact, it is a prison, it is a prison for every child, minor and "teen" living in America. Where I come from freedom is not restricted, everybody drives on the roads and freedom is not desecrated by "statistics"
I am an experienced driver and I found out that I need to wait for 6 months!!!!! and need to take driving classes just to get a chance to drive on the roads. I have lost my job due the laws upheld by the state and have to lose my passion in my life, swimming simple beacause I can't get to a swimming pool. I was told by people that America is a free country but it is not, it is a prison for minors because of the unlimited laws and restriction placed off statistics. America is not a free country, it is not a democracy. I have never been to such a horrid place where the police is used to shut up teens' mouths. There is absolutely no freedom here, no freedom of speech, no freedom or will of any kind for minors. Everything is resticted. I was told that statistics told the governemnt to extend the laws, but arent they in turn forcing us to give everything up because of statistics. I know that I am not a bad driver, heck, I've never ever been in an accident but due to the jail cell called America that I'm living in, I am forced to sit in my home day in and day out everyday without anything to do as all m dreams are lost due to a drivers license and statistics. Statistics should never imprison teens, the roads are supposed to be for the people, America truly is hell on earth for minors.
P.S. thanks for taking the time to read this.
O and hang up and drive, stop complainin about not being able to use cell phones, I know most of you haven't parted with one since you were 8 but suck it up, or pay the fine.
Can you tell me?
I have heard so many rumors that I will not be able to get my permit when i turn 16. They said there was a law passed saying if I was born after 1991, then I have to wait untill I'm 18. Is this true?
Thanks for the help
I have heard so many rumors that I will not be able to get my permit when i turn 16. They said there was a law passed saying if I was born after 1991, then I have to wait untill I'm 18. Is this true?
2.even adults drive stupid some drive drunk just like teens.
3.its not right to try and control teens from driving. as long as they have taken classes and took driving tests i think we should be able to drive before 18.
at 18 most have moved out of there homes and have jobs it will make life even more coplecated they have almost nobody to help them learn and to be on hand to help behind the wheel. also many accedents are done in bad weather many dui reports are of adults. th state needs to take that in mind.
thank you
-I was born in September 1991?