Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A new law limiting when -- and with whom -- a teenage motorist can drive legally takes effect Monday.
Safety advocates say the law, one of two new measures that affect teenage drivers, will help teens gain needed driving experience.
The law forbids drivers younger than 17 from being on the road between midnight and 5 a.m. Exemptions are given for agricultural work, traveling home from a school activity or if an adult is in the car. It also prohibits teen drivers from having friends in the car for six months, unless a licensed adult is with them.
"When teens get together, the chance they will crash just increases dramatically," said Rolayne Fairclough, spokeswoman for AAA Utah. "I hope parents will find this law easier to understand and also see it as a way to protect their children."
Teenage drivers are involved in 27.6 percent of all motor-vehicle crashes in the state, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. They represent only 7.7 percent of licensed drivers.
In 1999, Utah lawmakers passed a law that required a teen to drive for 30 hours with a parent or guardian before getting a license. In 2001, a law was passed that forbade new drivers from having friends in the car for six months, but parents could sign a note allowing them to bypass the law.
The new law that goes into effect Monday, Senate Bill 118, repealed that provision.
Mark Farnsworth of West Valley says that he supports the changes. His daughter, Sara, just received a learner's permit.
"What the kids really need is experience," he said. "There is no way to replace that experience unless you put them behind the wheel and you're behind them."
On Aug. 1, a second graduated-license law will go into effect. That law allows a teenager to get a learner's permit at age 15. Teenagers would not, however, be able to get a license until age 16. They would also have to enroll in a drivers' education course.
--
Information from: Deseret Morning News www.deseretnews.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
