Many teens live for the age they can get their driving permit and then their license. It is considered one of the first big steps into adulthood. However are they mature enough or ready for this major responsibility?
The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act, or Standup Act, would set a federal standard for driver's licensing laws and raise the minimum age to 16 for a learner's permit, and 18 for a driver's license.
There is a call for tighter driving restrictions on teenagers. Jim Portell, father of a 15 year old daughter Jamie, stood with a portrait of her Thursday and tried not to cry.
Jamie was 15 and a cheerleader, when she was on the way home from a football game in 2002 with four friends, ages 14 to 16. The 16-year-old driver glanced over her shoulder to change lanes and edged onto the median of U.S. Highway 27, near the Portell's home in Davenport, FL.
Yes, that quickly, and that close to home - accidents happens. Is this part of not being mature enough or having enough driving experience?
Legislation is already pending before Congress is called the Safe Teen and Driver Uniform Protection act, or STANDUP.
It would set federal standards for teen drivers that would be more strict than any of the 50 states now have. Teenagers could not get their learners' permits until age 16 and would gradually earn full driving privileges by their 18th birthdays. STANDUP also would ban texting or talking on a cell phone for teen drivers under 18.
Florida is considered a pioneer in so-called graduated teen licensing, having had such a program in place since 1997.
Learn more about Safe Teen Driving Club and educate your teens before they get behind the wheel!
Related articles:
Teen Drivers Think Twice
Alive at 25
Teens Behind the Wheel
Clicket or Ticket: Buckle Up Florida
Source: Orlando Sentinel
As graduation parties and prom time is here, teen driving fatalities increase during the months of March through June. Watch GMA segment below.
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