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June 16, 2005
Dear Friends:
In an effort to keep you informed, I wanted to bring to
your attention that on October 1, 2005, several
significant changes to teenage driving laws will become
effective.
The 2005 General Assembly approved and Governor Ehrlich
recently signed into law measures to:
· Extend the learner’s permit period from 4 to 6 months
· Increase the supervised driving hours for those with
learner’s permits from 40 to 60 hours. Ten of the
driving hours must occur during nighttime. Nighttime
driving hours are defined as the period beginning 30
minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after
sunrise.
· Restart the 18-month provisional license clock for
young drivers who are convicted of moving violations or
who are caught without wearing a seat belt or driving
during curfew hours between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
· Prohibit young drivers with learner’s permits or
provisional licenses from using cell phones while
driving.
· Require that for six months after teenage drivers
receive their provisional licenses, they cannot
transport anyone under the age of 18, except family
members.
As both an elected representative and a parent, I
supported these measures.
The facts about teen drivers are alarming.
· According to the National Traffic Safety
Administration, (NTSA) motor vehicle crashes are the
number one cause of teen deaths, claiming 6,000 teen
lives every year.
· Although teens represent only 1.6% of Maryland’s
driving population, they are responsible for 5.3% of the
automobile accidents.
· NTSA statistics show that 63% of teen deaths in auto
crashes happen when several teens are riding in the car.
One teen passenger increases the crash risk by 50%.
Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding this or
any other legislative matter of concern to you. As
always, I encourage and welcome your input.
Sincerely,
Ann Marie Doory
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