EnCompass®
The AAA Companion

Commentary

Teen passenger restrictions — widespread support, but will it pass?

The Minor Driver Restrictions Bill, which restricts teen passengers in cars driven by newly licensed teen drivers, will be introduced in the Colorado Legislature in January 2005.

For nearly two years, AAA Colorado has supported such legislation. After a similar bill was defeated in January 2004, teen fatalities in teen driver crashes continued, so AAA Colorado redoubled its commitment to help pass this legislation. That commitment has included behind-the-scenes lobbying, surveying and gathering of valuable feedback and support from members, as well establishing the Teen Driving Coalition—a group of 22 agencies and organizations that have worked tirelessly over the years on safety issues related to all drivers.

Genesis of a bill

During the summer of 2004, the Minor Driver Restrictions Bill began to take shape. From the hard work and dedication of many individuals and organizations, a draft of the bill unanimously passed through the bipartisan Transportation Legislative Review Committee.

In early October 2004, on the steps at the State Capitol, legislators, Colorado State Patrol officers and representatives from insurance companies, safety associations, fire departments and community groups stood silently in solidarity while the bill was announced at a press conference. The Chatfield crash vehicle was on display, a graphic reminder of what is at stake in this debate. Also on hand were family and friends of Caitlyn Amber Craig-McLeod, Brad Heykoop and Brian Ellsworth (three teens killed in that vehicle near Chatfield High School in a teen-driver-related crash), as well as students from Pioneer High School in Parker, who lost three classmates in a teen-driver-related crash this past June.

Widespread support for the proposed bill has grown across a diverse array of communities and organizations.

The Colorado State Patrol steps up

At the press conference, Colonel Mark Trostel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, announced that “the Colorado State Patrol is very supportive of the proposed legislation as it provides a major step in protecting our most valuable resource for the future of our state and country, our children.”

Trostel went on to explain, “We know that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds in the United States. We also know that the first year of a newly licensed teenage driver is the most dangerous, with one in five youths being involved in crashes. By limiting the number of minor passengers in a vehicle driven by a teen during the critical first year of licensing, we can remove some of the distractions that can cause young drivers to make bad driving choices.”

Governor Owens joins in

Three weeks after the October press conference announcing the proposed legislation, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens expressed his support for a law that limits the number of passengers allowed in vehicles with a newly licensed driver. The governor's statement was, in large part, a reaction to a crash that had occurred days before in Walden, Colo., in which three teens were killed and a fourth was critically injured.

In his announcement, Owens pointed to evidence that limiting the number of passengers newly licensed teen drivers can have with them is a dramatic lifesaver.

The Denver Post takes an editorial stand

In mid-November, word of yet another crash involving a teen driver made the news: “Car full of kids collides with SUV; eight injured.” A 16-year-old driving a 1999 Subaru Outback with six other youngsters on board lost control and crashed, injuring all on board plus the driver of the other vehicle. None of the teens were seat belted. The passengers were all younger than the 16-year-old driver, and included her 15-month-old child, who was in a child seat.

Early the following week, on November 22, a Denver Post editorial expressed its support of stricter limits on teen drivers and their passengers, calling it a modest but necessary change to Colorado driving laws that would likely save teen lives. The editorial concluded by stating:

“Too often, teens think they're indestructible and they tend to show off in front of their friends.

“Limiting the number of passengers they can have in their cars is an important first step toward saving the lives of more of our young people and making Colorado 's roadways safer for everyone.”

AAA members also speak out

Throughout 2004, AAA Colorado asked members to respond to a series of polls and surveys regarding teen passenger restrictions. You consistently responded that you wanted AAA Colorado to be actively involved in the issue and that you wanted some form of teen passenger restrictions for newly licensed teenage drivers.

This culminated in the September/October 2004 EnCompass, when AAA Colorado asked members to show their support for specific legislation by filling out a reply card. The response was overwhelming: More than 5,600 members sent in cards, while nearly 1,000 more responded online.

The “Minor Driver Restrictions” bill

Highlights

• Prohibits a minor driver who has held a license less than six months from transporting a passenger who is under 21 years of age.

• Prohibits a minor driver who has held a license for more than six months but less than one year from transporting more than one passenger under 21 years of age.

• Prohibits a minor driver who has held a license for less than one year from driving between 12 midnight and 5 a.m. (there are exceptions to this curfew).

Some exemptions

• If the motor vehicle also contains the minor's parents or legal guardian or other “responsible adult.”

• If the motor vehicle also contains a driver, 25 years or older, or a driving instructor.

• If the passenger is in the vehicle on account of a medical emergency.

• If the passenger is the spouse of the driver.

• If the driver is the parent or legal guardian of the passenger.

For a complete copy of the text of the bill, go to www.aaa.com/teens in mid-January 2005 after the bill is introduced and assigned a bill number. Or, after such time, call 303-753-8800, ext. 8207, to request a copy.