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The Texas Legislature will once again be considering the possibility of a multi-step, graduated driver’s license program during the 77th legislative session. Contrary to rumor, the bill does NOT require a student to graduate from high school before receiving a license.
The intent of the HB 432 is to require younger drivers to have more experience before driving in high-risk situations. A study done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found the crash rate for 16-year-old drivers is eight times that for older drivers. While the overall death rate for drivers ages 17 and over has been dropping, the rate for 16-year-olds has been increasing.
There are a number of proposals in HB 432 that would affect young drivers during their first six months after their 16th birthday. One proposal would limit the hours of the day that these drivers will be behind the wheel. Any 16-year-old would not be permitted to drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Another proposed limitation would only allow these drivers to drive accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21-years-old. Another suggestion is to prohibit any occupants in the vehicle under the age of 21 during the first six months after the issuance of a class C drivers licence. As beginning drivers gain behind-the-wheel experience, driving restrictions would be gradually lifted. Traffic, drug, or alcohol violations would result in immediate suspension of driving privileges. Thirty-seven states now have a multi-step license requirement for teen-age drivers. In addition to the above requirements, some states enforce a midnight driving curfew until the driver is seventeen. Others ban all driving at night.
Supporters believe that requiring young drivers to have more experience before driving unsupervised will curb the number of deaths and accidents involving teen-age drivers. Opponents say these laws interfere with the freedom of young drivers and can burden their families.
I would be interested in hearing your comments on multi-step driver’s licenses. Please write to my Austin office at P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas, 78768.
February is Black History Month. We should take this opportunity to celebrate the heritage of the African-American culture.
State Representative Ron Clark
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474
(512) 475-3767 (fax)
ron.clark@house.state.tx.us
http://www.grayson.edu/district62/RonClark.html
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