New restrictions for teen drivers now in effect

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Vidala

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Teen drivers in New York under the age of 18 will be facing new restrictions

(08/31/03) ALBANY - Drivers under 18 will need to show they have had more experience behind the wheel before they can graduate to a regular license.
Under the law, drivers under 18 must wait six months after getting a learner's permit before they can get a full license. When they take their road test, they must present a statement signed by a parent or guardian saying they've had at least 20 hours of supervised driving experience during that six months.

Drivers who get the 20 hours of supervised experience and pass a road test before the six-month waiting period is up can get a limited junior license allowing them to drive alone during specific hours.

Drivers with junior licenses will not be allowed more than two passengers under age 21,unless a parent or instructor is in the vehicle. The passengers under age 21 must ride in the back seat. State officials say teen drivers are four times more likely to be in an accident than all other age groups combined.

http://www.msnbc.com/local/ntli/89043.asp?0na=x2216120-
 
I think that's a great idea. I've already been in an accident with an underage driver who cut me off. He was 1 week past his 18th birthday (when he got his license) and was driving a brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee with 6(!) other kids in the car with him. Decided that he HAD to pull off the highway into McDonalds without checking the entrance lane... IN THE RAIN!
Took out my driver's side quarter panel and half of my grille.

I think at that age, they just don't understand what a responsibility driving is, and they need a few years to get the lesson hammered into their heads a little. You only become a safe driver through practice, and they just don't have enough time behind the wheel by then.
 
I think it is an excellent condition as well ... I live in a rural area, the minor driver mortality rate around here is devastaing and oft times involves just the one vehicle ... :no:
 
Although I don't agree with the age 60 as being a point of testing (the expense of this would be too great for the rest of us) I do agree there should be top end testing and after the recent accidents in CA I think this will come about in the near future ...
 
I think 60 is a good baseline to start testing seniors, as that is a common point at which eyesight and/or reaction time starts to decline.

I don't necessarily like hearing about things like monetary cost when it comes to things like road safety. Some things are just more important than money.
 
On Today @ 03:30 PM Diesel had this to say in Post #6

I don't necessarily like hearing about things like monetary cost when it comes to things like road safety. Some things are just more important than money.
Click to expand...

... nobody likes it but, if it becomes mandatory for everyone 60 and over to come in for a road test you better believe the added costs will filter down to all ... JMO~
 
Added costs like eye exams and road tests? Personally, I think they should be getting done anyway.

Besides, if it adds to things like the cost of registration and licensing, but resulted in safer roads, the end result would end up being lower insurance costs, which would be a greater savings than the increase resulting from the extra paperwork.

Frankly, I can live with that tradeoff, even if it doesn't end up saving me any money.
 
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