Kansas News Committee looks at graduated driver's licenses

[wordsmythe]

CJOnline - Committee looks at graduated driver's licenses

By James Carlson
The Capital-Journal
Published Tuesday, January 22, 2008

House Transportation Committee members discussed giving young drivers more experience behind the wheel during a Tuesday hearing on a bill to enact a graduated driver’s license in Kansas.

The bill would restrict young drivers in a number of ways including reduced driving hours and prohibitions on cell phone usage and number of young passengers in the car.

While members praised many of those provisions, they resisted raising the age at which teenagers receive their license.

“People have to drive to learn how to drive,” said chairman Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin.

Under the bill, drivers seeking their instructor’s permit would have to wait until they’re 15 years old instead of the current law of 14. With the instructor’s permit, drivers would be prohibited from using a cell phone.
The proposal also raises the age at which drivers can receive a restricted license from 15 years old to 16 years old. During the first six months with this license, drivers could drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. unless with a supervising adult or going to or from a job, a religious service or a school-sponsored activity. Also during the first six months, drivers couldn’t have more than one passenger under age 21 unless it was a family member.

According to a 2007 report released by a Kansas traffic safety task force reported that 16 and 17-year-old drivers are twice as likely to die in a car accident between 10 p.m. and midnight as they are between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The same report also said having three passengers in the car with a 17-year-old driver increases the risk of death or injury by 200 percent. The
Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, said he was troubled by the provisions that raise the minimum age for the instructor’s and restricted license.
“Is public safety better served by experience than merely raising the age?” he asked.

The committee will continue to discuss the bill Wednesday, and Hayzlett said appointing a subcommittee to further study the issue is a possibility.

OK my only 2 problems with this are the same as they always are.

First: If they are going to change things for the younger drivers they also need to take a look at making some changes for the older drivers as well.

I still think that once you hit 65 you should have to renew your DL every 2 years with a vision, written and driving test. So as not to make this look like I'm trying to turn this into an old person tax I'd also suggest they cut the renewal fee by half at that age and raise everyone else a few bucks to renew.

Second: Why the exemtpion for religious events and no other social activites?

[K C Muffin]

I understand the problem with ignorant youngsters (and adults), but we can't hope to legislate everything in the world! If we say people can't use their cell phones while driving, then we'll have to make exceptions for this and that and water it down so much it's ineffective. What are we really trying to do? What I see is that we need to raise awareness among ALL drivers, particularly youngsters, about the dangers of inattentive driving (that's what it really is - and that encompasses makeup, hair, shaving, etc., etc., etc that I see). Why make another law when the one on the books isn't followed?

I dunno about raising the age - the kids in rural areas need to drive, some of their parents need them to drive. In the urban areas, mom & dad just can't be everywhere at once and there has to be another licensed driver in the household. I still think - instead of trying to legislate it, make the parents responsible for seeing that the young drivers are properly trained before turning them loose with a car. Some are ready - some are not.

[Army_of_One]

I dunno...In the military you are NOT allowed to use a cell phone whilst driving on base unless you have a headset. IF you get caught you will be ticketed...period. If you drive around the AF base in Wichita it's hard to catch anyone on their cell phone because it's just not happening en masse. The thing is changing attitude and behavior. Talking on a cell while driving is almost as bad as driving intoxicated.

Wordy..I don't know why they would make an exception for going to Church....doesn't make sense.

[K C Muffin]

Really? I did not know that (about millitary bases). No biggie - hubby's Sprint phone won't work on base. Mine will, but I normally am a passenger and it doesn't count. Interesting. I still think there are two things that can't be legislated: common sense and morality.

[Highwayman]

Putting more restrictions on citizens should not even be discussed until they crack down on non-citizens driving without a license and insurance.

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

Putting more restrictions on citizens should not even be discussed until they crack down on non-citizens driving without a license and insurance.

I WOULD AGREE wholeheartedly.

[jeezeweeze]

I have an email that if you can stomach it, shows why you should not text and drive..

Its very graphic, but I think all kids should see it, and especially their parents.

As hard as it is to just to drive defensively ,who in their right mind would text while driving.... Well Kids do and we know they haven't developed a full right mind yet.

If you want the email ...PM me with your email and I will send it........ but be warned....

[K C Muffin]

I have been guilty of trying to search for a phone number and then dial it while driving. Having said that, I almost lost my car doing that. Who'da thunk they don't make lanes 2 cars wide? I haven't done it since. But I know what you mean - kids that don't have enough experience to drive alone are trying to do two things at once.....recipe for disaster. Still, not to be legislated.

[Army_of_One]

I use a wireless headset....they ROCK!

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by jeezeweeze

I have an email that if you can stomach it, shows why you should not text and drive..

Its very graphic, but I think all kids should see it, and especially their parents.

As hard as it is to just to drive defensively ,who in their right mind would text while driving.... Well Kids do and we know they haven't developed a full right mind yet.

If you want the email ...PM me with your email and I will send it........ but be warned....

One bit of advice, do not look at this e-mail near any mealtime! Especially if you are having "cold cuts, stir fry, or hash"!

And Wordy, glad to see you again, but don't be picking on us "old" people! Most of us can drive a helluva lot better and more safe than those teenagers!