6/26/2007
New restrictions for drivers younger than 17 go into effect July 1
BOISE - A new law restricting the number of passengers that can ride in a vehicle operated by a driver younger than 17 goes into effect Sunday, July 1 the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
The law limits the number of passengers to one, unless the passengers are related to the driver. This restriction is in effect for six months after the license is issued.
This legislation also extends the period of supervised driving required after the completion of driver's training from four months to six months. The new requirement will apply to drivers who complete driver's training after June 30, 2007. The additional supervised driving time will allow teens a more realistic time period to complete the 50-hours of practice driving required.
"Although teen drivers ages 15 to 17 represent just three percent of all licensed Idaho drivers, they accounted for 8.6 percent of all fatal and injury crashes in 2006," Margaret Goertz, a highway safety specialist with the Idaho Transportation Department, said. "Limiting risks during the first years of driving can reduce teen crashes and save lives."
The transportation department mailed letters to those who currently have driver's training permits notifying them of the new requirements.
Idaho enacted a graduated driver licensing program in 2001. Despite a 5.6 percent decrease in serious injury and fatal collisions during the first four years following passage of the law, Idaho teen drivers ages 15-19 are over-represented in fatalities, injuries and aggressive driving collisions, Goertz noted.
"All 50 states have enacted laws to give a novice driver more time behind the wheel to gain confidence, skill, and judgment," Goertz said. "This law is another step for Idaho to protect its young drivers and their passengers."