As of Aug. 1, some new driving laws went into effect that teens should know about.
Avoid the cell:
*Texting or using the Internet while driving is illegal for all drivers, not just teens, and violating this law could cost you up to $300 in fines.
*Talking on the phone while driving, whether it be “hands-free” or not, is illegal for drivers younger than 18, unless it’s an emergency call to 911.
A curfew for your car:
*No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. for teens during the first six months of having their license, unless they are driving to or from work, from a school event that doesn’t offer transportation home, or if they have a licensed driver who is older than 25 in the car with them. Violating this law is a misdemeanor offense.
Don’t offer too many people a ride:
*You can have only one passenger younger than 20 in your car during the first six months after you get your license and no more than three for the second six-month period. Again, violation of this can result in a misdemeanor charge.
Although the laws went into effect on Aug. 1, they are effective from the day that the driver received a license. For example, if you are a teen who got your license on June 1, your six months will start started on June 1, not Aug. 1.
If you are an inquisitive young person like me you may ask: Why the special restrictions on teens? The answer is that teens are involved in significantly more crashes then people who are older. Experts say that it is because of lack of experience, driving at night, and driving while distracted.
According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, from 2005 to 2007, “16- and 17-year-old drivers were involved in 116 fatal crashes, resulting in 133 traffic deaths and 525 serious injuries.” Passengers were present in 64 percent of the fatal crasheds.
“These laws will help teens become safer drivers and, as a result, prevent deaths and injuries on Minnesota roads,” says Michael Campion, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
- Summer 2007 Workshop Publication, Articles written by students in this summer's workshop were published in Reach Out, the camp newspaper designed and layed out by students.
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