Push is on to beef up rules for teen drivers

What's the difference between driving alone or with a passenger?

If the driver is 16 or 17, the difference is a significantly increased chance of being involved in a car crash - as much as three to five times as great, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Increased restrictions on passengers is just one of the changes the Iowa Health System would like to see made to the state's graduated driver's license for teenage drivers younger than 18.

The group, which consists of hospitals across the state, including St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids, is lobbying the Legislature for several stricter measures for instructional permits and intermediate licenses.

Restrictions for teen drivers are a difficult issue to approach, said Kathy Leggett, director of outreach at Blank's Children's Hospital in Des Moines.

Without significant time on the road, they won't develop enough experience to become safe drivers. Their inexperience also makes them a danger to themselves and others on the road if not taught properly.

“They need to be on the road,” Leggett said, “but while they do that, research has shown there are risky behaviors that can impact their crash risk.”

The most significant factor of those currently allowed under Iowa law is driving with other teenage passengers. Teenagers are too easily distracted while driving with friends, which is why Leggett would like to see the state prohibit teens from having more than one non-family member younger than 21 in the car while they are driving.

The law currently allows as many passengers as there are seat belts, while 39 other states have some form of passenger restrictions for teenage drivers, according to the DOT.

Limiting passengers makes a lot of sense to Brian Lynch, a driving instructor for StreetSmarts driver's education in Cedar Rapids.

“Kids are very easily distracted with their peers, and there's a lot of peer pressure to do the wrong thing rather than the right thing,” Lynch said.

Lynch was less certain, however, about moving back the time teen drivers have to be off the road, from 12:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

He was enthusiastic about increasing the amount of road experience teenagers need before receiving an intermediate license - from six months to 12. This means that beginning drivers gain experience on the road during all seasons, including icy winter roads.

“That should be done regardless of the age of the program - adult drivers, too,” Lynch said.

Several of Lynch's teenage students gave the increased restrictions their seal of approval. The rules seemed like common sense to Cedar Rapids Jefferson sophomore Matthew Oster, 16.

“When I first started driving, it was pretty nerve-racking, and I think in general people need more experience,” Oster said.

Jenna Jurgensmeier, 16, a home-schooled student from Marion, agreed but added that the limitations could be a hassle.

“It might be a little inconvenient if you need to give someone a ride somewhere,” she said.

The new regulations recently passed the Iowa Senate transportation subcommittee after being introduced by freshman Sen. Tod Bowman, D-Maquoketa.

Bowman said the bill probably will come up for a vote next week. He is confident the Senate will approve it, but there currently are no sponsors in the House of Representatives.

“This is about protecting our youth and drivers; it shouldn't be a partisan issue,” Bowman said.

Whether the restrictions become law, having a careful attitude still is the most important factor to avoid teenage car accidents, Lynch said.

“Behind the wheel, there are no second chances,” he said.

Proposed new rules

-Require 12 months of driving on an instructional permit. Current requirement is six months.

-For drivers on a school permit, implement a passenger limitation: no more than one passenger younger than 21, excluding family members.

-For the intermediate license (one year), institute a passenger limitation: no more than one passenger younger than 21, excluding family members. Current law limits passengers to the number of seat belts; teens younger than 18 must use seat belts in the back seat.

-Also for the intermediate license, institute a nighttime driving restriction: no driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Current law is no driving from 12:30 to 5 a.m. Waivers are available to drive to and from work and school activities.

Source: Iowa Health System