Teen drivers face tougher laws

STATE —  A change in driving laws that took effect August 30, make the rules of the road stricter for teens. 

In response to a number of fatal accidents involving teen drivers last fall, Secretary of State Charlie Summers drafted the changes to the law, including raising the minimum fine for texting and driving from $100 to $250. 

But the fine does not just apply to teen drivers, says Megan Sanborn, special assistant at the Office of the Secretary of State. 

"It's a deterrent for all drivers," she says. "A lot of people are using texting as a form of communication, not just teenagers." 

L.D. 1912 also increases the time a driver under the age of 18 holds an intermediate license from six to nine months. 

According to Sanborn, teens with an intermediate license are not allowed to drive with passengers other than an immediate family member or between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. 

Currently, says Sanborn, if a teen driver is convicted of a motor vehicle violation during the first two years of holding a provisional license the first offense is a 30-day suspension. 

She said for the second and third offenses, the suspensions have doubled –  six months to a year, respectively. 

If a violation occurs within the first nine months of holding an intermediate license, the nine-month probationary period starts over, Sanborn says.

Teens react to the law

Local teens agree that raising the minimum fine for texting and driving to $250 won't necessarily deter teens, but will at least make them pay more attention to the road.

"I think people will still do it, because they are just ignorant," says 16-year-old Denise LaBrecque who has her permit and will soon be taking her driver's test for the first time. 

"I am getting my license in three weeks – I can't even do it [text and drive], I've tried," admits LaBrecque. She said she doesn't understand how others can do it. 

"People weren't paying attention before," says 15-year-old, Padraig Yenco, who plans to take driver's ed soon. "Throwing in the extra $150 might make people pay more attention now." 

LaBrecque says she's nervous about going for her license, but after learning about the change in the law she is going to be more cautious. 

"I want to get my license the first try," she said. 

Kris Berube, 16, who got his permit a month ago, says doubling the suspension for violation on the provisional license is "understandable, but also a little ridiculous." 

He also said teens with their intermediate license should be able to drive past midnight. If they get caught, he says, "they should not have to start the entire nine months over." 

He says teens should be able to at least "get a slap on the wrist first." If they violate it a second or third time, then "maybe" the nine months should start over. 

While LaBrecque agrees raising the restriction on the intermediate license from six to nine months is a good idea, she suspects that teens will still have their friends, or non-family members, ride as passengers. 

"They're still gonna do it," she says. 

"I don't know why people bother," says LaBrecque. "Just wait until your nine months are up! It's all in the book."