AAA EnCompass

Contents Page

Reader Service
Free Travel Info

Colorado Calendar

About our Advertisers

EnCompass®
The AAA Companion

July | August 2005
Volume 79 Issue 4

President's Message

Teen driving laws — education is now the issue

AAA Colorado President, Anthony DeNovellis

Tony DeNovellis
President and CEO

On April 21, 2005, I joined our Colorado Teen Driving Coalition partners, law enforcement personnel, parents and friends who had lost teens, and bill sponsors to watch Governor Bill Owens sign SB-036, the Minor Passenger Restrictions bill. The law takes effect July 1.

These minor passenger restrictions represented the last of three key elements that comprise a graduated driver's licensing system. The first two elements — a 50-hour driving log during the permit process, and nighttime driving curfews — were enacted on July 1, 1999.

From start to finish, this complete graduated driver's licensing system took nine years (1997 to 2005) to achieve. Through it all, AAA Colorado members consistently voiced your strong support and helped keep the concept alive. Thank you!

Now, however, the real work begins — educating parents and teens about the new law. Here are some of the efforts that have been made so far:

The Colorado Teen Driving Coalition has worked with the Colorado Department of Transportation to develop three informational tools — a teen driving website, an informational brochure, and posters for display at high schools and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices. Each month the DMV issues nearly 9,000 permits and licenses to teen drivers across the state. With more than 100,000 new teen drivers on the roadways in Colorado each year, it is critical to have this information available as the new portion of the Colorado graduated driver's licensing takes effect on July 1, 2005.
In June 2005, 9News started a public service initiative about the topic. On Wednesday, June 29, a one-hour "9News On Assignment" special will air, covering what parents and teens need to know about the law, getting a license and following the rules of the road.
Both the 9News On Assignment special and the educational tool kit were made available on DVD free of charge to parents, teens and other educators. AAA Colorado is one of the sponsors of 9News' efforts and is distributing the free DVDs in all our offices.
While details were not available at press time, News4 is planning its own educational awareness effort to take place the week after July 1, 2005.
For current details about the educational outreach, go to www.aaa.com/teens.

Together, these efforts will make a difference — not only for teens and parents but for all drivers by making Colorado's roads safer.

Tony DeNovellis
President and CEO

Return to Table of Contents