Teens brace for new license laws

If teens want to LOL with their BFFs, it isn’t going to be happening behind the wheel anymore — at least not legally.

New rules went into affect New Year’s Day for teen drivers aimed at decreasing accidents, including banning teens from using cell phones.

Harvey County Sheriff T. Walton said anything that will help limit distractions for young, inexperienced drivers should help decrease accidents.

“Actually, I would like the adults not to talk on their cell phones or text too,” Walton said. ... “I am all for getting them off cell phones. It is a distraction, and texting is even worse.”

Under the new law, teenagers who are 14, 15 or 16 can apply for an instructional permit, but would be prohibited from using cell devices for phones to call or text except in cases to summon medical or emergency help.

A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study found truck drivers were more than 23 times more likely to get into an accident if texting while driving. The same study found drivers were 5.9 times more likely to get in an accident if dialing a phone while driving.

Walton said a sheriff’s cruiser was rearended earlier this year by an adult who was texting. He said the problem is greater for teens who have less experience on the road.

However, Walton said the new rules will be difficult to enforce. The cell phone law is a primary offense, which means teens could be pulled over for using a cell phone while driving, but the law enforcement officers will have to see the teens using the cell devices.

“I have seen them text in their pocket. I don’t know how they do it, but they do. We have to see the violation,” he said. “They could have it in their lap and be looking down. It is going to be hard to enforce.”

As young drivers move from a permit to a restricted license, some of the restrictions will drop off, but young drivers will continue to be required to show they have gained experience driving.

A 15-year-old must have 25 hours of driving, and a 16-year-old must have logged 50 hours of driving to get a restricted license.

Lt. Eric Murphy of the Newton Police Department said he thought the experience requirements will help decrease accidents.

His children had to log driving hours when they got their licenses, and he said it made him feel better as a father.

“Any experience someone can have will help in the long-run,” he said.

By the time teens are 16, they can work toward fewer restrictions, including driving anywhere between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., driving anytime to work, going to school activities and driving with a licensed adult.

However, to earn fewer restrictions, teens have to keep fairly clean driving records.

Any person younger than 16 with a restricted license who is convicted of two or more moving violations will remain restricted until 17.

The cell phone restriction remains until youth get unrestricted licenses at age 17 or older.