Senate Approves More Road Time For Teen Drivers
by Aaron Margolis, July 28th, 2006 at 01:13pm
Yesterday, the State Senate passed a bill that would require teens to spend more hours on the road, sans cell phones before getting their drivers’ licenses.
The bill would double the number of hours a student spends behind the wheel during driver’s education programs from six hours to 12. It would also increase the number of supervised hours a new driver must spend with a parent or other experienced driver from 12 hours to 40 hours.
The Senate also added a provision prohibiting drivers under the age of 18 from using their cell phones while on the road.
Originally lawmakers were weighing the contentious issue of raising the driving age from 16 1/2 to 17 1/2 — the highest in the nation — but that failed to generate enough support.
The House approved a similar bill to the Senate’s last month. Both chambers must still take final action before the legislation can go to the governor.
Entry Filed under: Beacon Hill
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