Driver safety advocates came to Capitol Hill on Thursday to push for legislation that would enact tougher driving licensing laws for teens. The visit to the Hill was part of a campaign called SAVE 11 launched by Allstate Insurance to push for the passage of the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act.
The bill would mandate that states implement a three-stage licensing process for new drivers under the age of 18. It would impose a ban on non-emergency use of cell phones and text messaging, and prohibit nighttime driving during a teen’s first year on the road.
Teenagers are ten times more likely to be involved in a car crash than drivers between the ages of 30 and 60, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Thomas Didone, a Maryland police captain, lost his 15-year-old son in a car accident due to the distracted and reckless driving of another teen. He said tough national legislation is needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“Until we do some substantial steps like passing legislation, increasing awareness with parents and others who are involved in this issue, we are not going to save lives,” he said.
Supporters of SAVE 11 say similar legislation enacted in 1997 in North Carolina and Michigan has reduced the rate of car crashes involving teens by 25 percent.
The legislation was introduced in the House last year by Tim Bishop (D-NY), Michael Castle (R-DE) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). It reached the Senate last week.
SAVE 11 supporters are asking parents and teens to lobby their local members of Congress in support of the bill.
NHTSA data shows that drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 have the highest rate of cell phone usage, one of the leading causes of teen deaths. Robert Okerblom’s 19-year-old son was killed last year by a teen driver who was text messaging. He came to the Hill event with his wife to support the bill, and would like to see other parents take a leading role in reducing deaths caused by teen driving.
“I’d like to encourage everyone who has children to take the time to contact their congressman to see if we can get this bill passed and to set an example of mindful, non-distracted driving,” he said. “Demand it of your children.”
More information about the SAVE 11 campaign can be found at facebook.com/save11.