From Sgt. Jacalyn Sticha
Minnesota State Patrol, Mankato District

When someone is starting something new, and they are inexperienced, young, going in a million different directions emotionally and physically, distracted and the thing they are starting is the most dangerous thing they will do on a daily basis, doesn’t it make sense to move them into the task slowly? Shouldn’t we graduate them into the complexities as they become more experienced, focused and mature.

Some youth are far more ready to drive than others, but even teens that are on the upper end of this continuum crash more than adults. Driving is hard and it is multitasking, at 15-16 years, like they have never seen before. Teens are approximately 7 percent of drivers but are involved in 14 percent of crashes, higher than any other group.

Beginning Aug. 1, driving will be prohibited, midnight to 5 a.m., for the first six months of licensure. There are exemptions: when driving with a licensed driver age 25 or older, to or from school if the school has not provided transportation, and for employment purposes. Teens are three times more likely to crash at night than during the day.

Also, effective Aug. 1 for the first six months of licensure, only one passenger younger than 20 is allowed unless a parent or guardian are along, or the passenger younger than 20 is a member of the driver’s immediate family. Adding just one passenger, a peer, increases the risk of death in a crash by 39 percent and rises rapidly with every addition.

If your teen is licensed before Aug. 1, it will still apply to them if they haven’t completed their first six months. If they received their license July 1, 2008 they will have five months remaining of the new restrictions after the law goes in to effect Aug. 1, getting credit for the month completed prior to the effective date.

Other restrictions:
• Drivers and passengers younger than 18 must wear a seat belt or be properly secured in a child restraint.

• Drivers with a permit or provisional license can not use cell/ wireless phones while driving, or be engaged with them, whether handheld or hands-free; 911 calls will be permitted.

• All drivers cannot read, compose or send texts.

• It is illegal for any one younger than 21 to consume any amount of alcohol and drive a vehicle, and there is no exception or defense written in this law.

Ultimately the parents/guardians of the new driver are responsible for them and can add restrictions, and should, only allowing more responsibility as each phase is mastered and is comfortable for the new driver. The best advice is to spend numerous hours in the car with your inexperienced driver. In addition, model good driving behavior yourself and you will be reducing the odds of a tragedy more than you can imagine.
For more information about the new law, visit www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us.