Restrictions take effect for new drivers Jan. 1

WTNH Television ^ | 12/24/03 | Puppage

[Puppage]

(Hartford-AP, Dec. 23, 2003 6:50 PM) _ Beginning New Year's Day, driving won't be a joy ride for Connecticut's teenagers.

Youngsters with new drivers licenses will be allowed only one passenger to sit beside them for the first three months they have a license. The passenger can only be a parent, licensed driving instructor or someone who is at least 20 years old and has had a license for four years.

Following the first three-months, the driver will be restricted for another three months and may bring other passengers but only if they are immediate family members.

The new law targets 16-year-old and 17-year-old drivers and is intended to prevent them from driving with an unlimited number of friends.

A leading lawmaker who pushed for the law says more people in the car means more distractions, especially for inexperienced drivers.

[Puppage]

prevent them from driving with an unlimited number of friends.

Yeah, my old man hated when I drove the Datsun around town with 15 of my friends thrown in.

more people in the car means more distractions

Geez, how comfortable ARE they behind the wheel? What about the "distraction" of other cars, pedestrians, pretty girls? etc. etc.

Yet, ANOTHER feel good law that won't do SQUAT.

[eastforker]

I happen to disagree with you.16 and 17 year old kids need to learn how to drive without the temptation of speeding,racing and other dangerous acts without the skills needed to perform them.Lets also include the temptation of having a few beers at the same time.After what I did behind the wheel 35 years ago as a kid I think it may be a good law.

[Puppage]

16 and 17 year old kids need to learn how to drive without the temptation of speeding,racing and other dangerous acts

That's NEVER going to happen.The temptation will always be there. Your statement assumes that the root cause for speeding, racing, etc. is based on OTHERS in the car?

Why don't we just wish it away?

[Puppage]

After what I did behind the wheel 35 years ago as a kid I think it may be a good law.

Because of what YOU did, EVERYONE should be penalized?

[eastforker]

You shouldn't post out of context,you should include the part about the skills needed.Yes,when a bunch of kids get together in a vehicle,things happen.Someone should post the article about the 16 and 17 year olds racing their BMW's and killing someone.Young people need to learn with adults in the seat next to them.Maybe 18 should be the starting age to drive.

[Puppage]

the article about the 16 and 17 year olds racing their BMW's

If you've EVER raced before then you know you need to make the car LIGHT. You do not do that by having more people in the car.

Young people need to learn with adults in the seat next to them

Yes, they call that a Learners Permit.

[ContraryMary]

16 and 17 year old kids need to learn how to drive without the temptation of speeding,racing and other dangerous acts.

That's NEVER going to happen.The temptation will always be there. Your statement assumes that the root cause for speeding, racing, etc. is based on OTHERS in the car?

No, it's not. But peer pressure plays a major role.

[Agnes Heep]

Good idea. Kids generally have rotten attitudes about driving, and they need a period of time to acquire the motor skills necessary to make driving second nature. Even under the most favorable circumstances, they're going to have accident rates higher than those of mature adults, and this is reflected in the premiums they pay for insurance.

[Puppage]

But peer pressure plays a major role.

And, the 3 month "waiting period" will some how fix that?

Like I said...A FEEL GOOD LAW

[Bob]

Young people need to learn with adults in the seat next to them

Yes, they call that a Learners Permit.

And they've just extended the learner's permit period by 6 months for some OJT, but only as it relates to carrying passengers. How is this a bad thing?

[Puppage]

extended the learner's permit period by 6 months for some OJT

How about 9 months, 12 months? What ammount of time is going to cure all of the "new driver ills"?

It is a FEEL GOOD LAW nothing more.

[Roughneck]

Young people need to learn with adults in the seat next to them.Maybe 18 should be the starting age to drive.<<


When today's young drivers have a few years under their belt (twenty may be enough), they will understand these new restrictions are perfectly understandable and sane.

When I was younger, the roads were not so dangerous, folks seemed more willing to follow the rules, "road rage" was not up to murderous levels.

I think this is an excellent restriction that I'd like to see all states implement. Youngsters can't have everything they want when underage - driving is NOT a "right" and cars are not toys. Our indulged youth wont like this, but I love it!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Note that it bans both parents from being there simultaneously. How goofy can it be.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Who are these American Taliban?

Oh, I forgot, in Connecticut, the NUTmeg state, these people are known as Dim-o-craps.

[Bob]

It is a FEEL GOOD LAW nothing more.

You keep saying that but you're starting to come across as being particularly rabid about it.

Please answer the question: What specifically is wrong with this law as it is written?

Note: Monotonously repeating that it's a FEEL GOOD LAW (regardless of any bolding, italics, and even font size) isn't an answer. It's obvious that you're upset about this issue; I just still have no idea why.

[Puppage]

What specifically is wrong with this law as it is written?

3 months will do NOTHING to stop accidents, etc. Why not just wish them away?

It is ridiculous to think it will do anything..Explain how 3 MONTHS will do ANYTHING but make YOU feel better

[Jim Cane]

The best way to ensure that children remain children well into adulthood is to treat them like children.

[BraveMan]

Wisconsin already has similar restrictions in effect. As the father of a teenage daughter recently acquiring driving privileges, I applaud the restrictions.

I find it difficult to conjure up the moral outrage over the restrictions when I read the plethora of newspaper articles detailing the teenage driver injuries and fatalities. As a motorcyclist I can from personal experience attest my greatest threat of injury comes from inattentive youngsters behind the wheel. Perhaps if you were in a similar position, you wouldn't be so concerned about the restrictions.

[T Minus Four]

I absolutely agree. These sort of laws are becoming very common in many states and are a good thing.

[ContraryMary]

And, the 3 month "waiting period" will some how fix that?

Actually, it's six months of restrictions. And, yes, it can help.