Legislative Watch 
LEGISLATIVE
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8/4/05-A bill before the legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee would put in place new restrictions and requirements aimed at young drivers.
Sponsored by Rep. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich, H1996 would require more practice behind the wheel, ban teenagers from using cell phones while driving and get parents more involved.
Law enforcement would be given greater power to enforce restrictions already in place, such as barring 16- and 17-year-olds from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and banning teens from having passengers under age 18 during their first six months behind the wheel.
Under current law, it’s a secondary offense. Hill’s bill would make it a primary offense.
Offenders could lose their license for 90 days. Subsequent offenses could result in loss of driving privileges for six months. The third offense: one year.
To obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license, an applicant must be at least 16 and one half years old. At least 12 hours of driver’s education also must be completed with half of the time spent watching others drive and the remaining time practicing behind the wheel.
H1996 would increase the requirement for young people to at least 12 hours behind the wheel during driver’s education and 30 more hours practicing under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian.
If signed into law, the bill also would allow a 5 percent auto insurance discount to new drivers who take an advanced driving course.
For House bill status, call (617) 722-2356.
