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New rules possible for teen drivers
KRISTEN WYATT
Associated Press
ATLANTA - Young drivers may face even more restrictions in their first years behind the wheel as the state Legislature considers several new rules for teen drivers.
Among the bills introduced Wednesday by a bipartisan group of House members is a new rule allowing first-year drivers to carry only one non-family member in the car, not three.
Another law would allow parents to suspend a child's driver's license for at least 90 days. The parents could simply pay $15 to the Department of Motor Vehicle Services and have the child's license suspended, from 90 days or until the child turns 18, at the parent's discretion.
The sponsor of the bills, Republican Rep. Joe Wilkinson of Sandy Springs, said the new rules would tighten supervision of young drivers.
Wilkinson called the license suspension a discipline tool. "It is the ultimate weapon for a parent," he said. "The most important thing to a teen is that driver's license."
He called the passenger bill a safety measure. Currently a driver can carry three non-relatives after six months of having a license. Wilkinson's plan would allow just one friend in the car after six months, then more non-relatives after a year.
"These new drivers are easily distracted," he said.
It's been four years since the Legislature overhauled driving laws to supervise new drivers. The changes, made in response to news reports about teen accident fatalities, included "provisional" licenses for new drivers and license suspensions for young drivers who speed 25 mph over the limit.
The changes were largely backed by metro Atlanta lawmakers from both parties. Rural lawmakers generally resisted the changes, and succeeded in snuffing a plan to raise the driving age to 18.
But some metro lawmakers say more should be done. Rep. Roger Bruce, D-Atlanta, joined Wilkinson's measures and says he plans a revive a bill to require driver's ed classes for new drivers.
"We need to do anything and everything we can to make roads safer for teens," he said.
Rural lawmakers said they didn't know enough about Wilkinson's proposals to decide whether they'd oppose them, but at least one said he doubted the parental suspension plan would work.
"I would doubt whether parents would revoke their children's licenses," said Rep. Richard Royal, D-Camilla. "Right now we're having them calling to get them restored if they get suspended."
One of Wilkinson's proposals would affect all drivers, not just teens. He introduced a bill Wednesday raising the fine for not wearing a seat belt from $15 to $50.
The $15 fine "doesn't seem to have any bite," he said.
KRISTEN WYATT
Associated Press
ATLANTA - Young drivers may face even more restrictions in their first years behind the wheel as the state Legislature considers several new rules for teen drivers.
Among the bills introduced Wednesday by a bipartisan group of House members is a new rule allowing first-year drivers to carry only one non-family member in the car, not three.
Another law would allow parents to suspend a child's driver's license for at least 90 days. The parents could simply pay $15 to the Department of Motor Vehicle Services and have the child's license suspended, from 90 days or until the child turns 18, at the parent's discretion.
The sponsor of the bills, Republican Rep. Joe Wilkinson of Sandy Springs, said the new rules would tighten supervision of young drivers.
Wilkinson called the license suspension a discipline tool. "It is the ultimate weapon for a parent," he said. "The most important thing to a teen is that driver's license."
He called the passenger bill a safety measure. Currently a driver can carry three non-relatives after six months of having a license. Wilkinson's plan would allow just one friend in the car after six months, then more non-relatives after a year.
"These new drivers are easily distracted," he said.
It's been four years since the Legislature overhauled driving laws to supervise new drivers. The changes, made in response to news reports about teen accident fatalities, included "provisional" licenses for new drivers and license suspensions for young drivers who speed 25 mph over the limit.
The changes were largely backed by metro Atlanta lawmakers from both parties. Rural lawmakers generally resisted the changes, and succeeded in snuffing a plan to raise the driving age to 18.
But some metro lawmakers say more should be done. Rep. Roger Bruce, D-Atlanta, joined Wilkinson's measures and says he plans a revive a bill to require driver's ed classes for new drivers.
"We need to do anything and everything we can to make roads safer for teens," he said.
Rural lawmakers said they didn't know enough about Wilkinson's proposals to decide whether they'd oppose them, but at least one said he doubted the parental suspension plan would work.
"I would doubt whether parents would revoke their children's licenses," said Rep. Richard Royal, D-Camilla. "Right now we're having them calling to get them restored if they get suspended."
One of Wilkinson's proposals would affect all drivers, not just teens. He introduced a bill Wednesday raising the fine for not wearing a seat belt from $15 to $50.
The $15 fine "doesn't seem to have any bite," he said.
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