Teen drivers mixed on new rules of the road

06/08/05
Heidi Schroeder

Maryland teens earning their drivers licenses might be anxious to hit the open road, but five new laws signed last month by Gov. Robert Ehrlich are adding a few caveats to that newfound freedom.

Like no driving with friends - one of the laws says new drivers can't drive passengers under the age of 18, unless they are relatives.

That means no driving friends to the mall or movies.

And no talking on cell phones - another measure prohibits drivers under age 18 from using cell phones, hands-free or otherwise, while driving, except to respond to an emergency.< p> "I think it sucks," said Andrew Dugan, 16, a sophomore at Liberty High School, of the restriction against having passengers under 18.

"That's the whole point of having a license," agreed Josh Scruggs, 17, a junior at Liberty and a classmate of Dugan's at the Clear Choice Driving School in Eldersburg.

The passenger and cell phone prohibitions apply to "provisional" drivers - the designation placed on all drivers, regardless of age, during the first 18 months of having their license. In fact, the passenger restriction only lasts for the first five months of the provisional period.

And after 18 months, when drivers receive their full license, the restrictions no longer apply.

Previously, Maryland law placed only one restriction on provisional drivers - they can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m., unless supervised.

But with the new batch of laws, new drivers will also have to watch their step. A third piece of legislation says that if a provisional driver is convicted of certain violations - including not wearing a seat belt, or driving after midnight - their 18-month provisional period starts all over.

Two more new Maryland laws affect the learning period for new drivers. One lengthens the period for learner's permits from four to six months, and the other increases the practice time requirement for new drivers from 40 to 60 hours.

All of the new laws go into effect Oct. 1 of this year.

The laws had the support of local legislators, who backed the measures while they were being crafted during the 2005 General Assembly session.

"It's to protect our kids and protect other drivers," said state Delegate Susan Krebs, who represents South Carroll.

Krebs said she was pleased to see Gov. Ehrlich focus during the session on the issue of young drivers.

In fact, she was disappointed to see the failure of another bill, which would have made underage drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated lose their license until they turn 21.

"All these bills are strengthening the graduated licensing system that we already have in place," Krebs said. "By doing that, you're hopefully getting more experienced young drivers on the road."

At Clear Choice Driving School, many of Dugan's and Scruggs' classmates expressed displeasure over the laws, though others said they are reasonable restrictions.

Marie Lindberg, 16, a Century High School sophomore taking the class with Clear Choice, said she's "disappointed" that new drivers will not be able to drive their friends who have not yet gotten their licenses.

And it's not just for "cruisin' " purposes - some of the Clear Choice students who attend private school said carpooling can help with getting to school - but now students won't be able to carpool.

Mark Rabenhurst, 16, a second-year student at Carroll Community College, said he agreed the legislation is limiting, but he said it may be beneficial.

"In the long run it's less distracting," Rabenhurst said. "You need the first couple months to get used to how things work.

"It's not forever."

And while many of the students are not supportive of the restrictions on driving their friends, there's more support for the prohibition on cell phones.

"It's less distraction on the road," said Steve Voytek, 17, a junior at Liberty.

While students may not be keen on the new rules, their instructor, Chuck Schuster, said he believes they are valuable.

"We've got to do more to keep drivers on task," said Schuster, who has been a driving instructor for nine years. "By eliminating cell phones and extra passengers in the car, we're going to do a better job to keep these kids on task.

"I'm pleased, as a drivers ed teacher and a parent," he said.

And Krebs noted that during the Annapolis session, she discussed the bills with a group of Student Government Association representatives, and they supported the laws.

"I've been pleasantly surprised by the support among our youth," Krebs said. "They realize that there's a need for this."

Some students, though, simply don't yet know about the new laws. Several students at Clear Choice said that they had heard rumors about them, but first became aware only while taking the class.

Schuster said that although the curriculum for the new laws has not been finalized, he has been trying to make his students aware of the new policies

Maryland State Police, too, are getting used to the new laws and are preparing strategies and awareness for the Oct. 1 implementation.

Sgt. Thornnie Rouse of the State Police said troopers are still in the process of forming these strategies, but violations will be considered secondary offenses, meaning that a driver would have to pulled over for another violation before they are charged with cell phone or passenger violations.

And Rouse said police support the cell phone and passenger restrictions.

"We favored both bills," Rouse said. "Any bill ... that would curb or reduce inappropriate activity of new licensees; that bill is worth its weight in gold."

E-mail Heidi Schroeder at hschroeder@patuxent.com.