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YOUNG DRIVERS
Young drivers will always be a point of concern for
the general public and subsequently for law
enforcement. According to the National Center for
Health statistics, motor vehicle crashes are the
leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. With the
arrival of Prom season and with graduation parties
fast approaching, parents are increasingly aware of
the media coverage of horrific crashes involving
young people.
For
the most part, young drivers lack experience, and as
a result their responses to emergency situations can
be disastrous. Having friends along in the vehicle
only compounds the problem by adding distractions.
The addition of a friend in the car makes it 1½
times as likely that the teen driver will be
involved in a fatal crash and more passengers just
create more distractions. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration estimates that driver
distractions cause up to 25 percent of crashes
reported to police.
Cell phone use is also a major contributing factor
in motor vehicle crashes. A study conducted by the
University of Utah found that drivers who talk on
cell phones could be just as dangerous as drivers
impaired by alcohol (at the legal level of
impairment). In addition, the Washington Safety
Commission conducted a survey into cell phone use by
teen drivers and found that 64 percent talked on a
cell phone while driving while 24 percent were text
messaging while driving.
About 100,00 crashes each year are attributed to
driving while drowsy, according to the National
Sleep Foundation. Drivers under the age of 25
account for about 55 percent of these crashes.
Studies by the Sleep Foundation found that nine
percent of high school seniors admit to falling
asleep behind the wheel during the last year.
One
of the best ways for adults to influence the safety
of young drivers is by being a good role model.
Always wear your safety belt, don’t use the cell
phone while driving, and never be an aggressive
driver. A study conducted by Liberty Mutual and
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) has
found that parents that set clear guidelines and
establish real consequences significantly reduce the
odds of their teen indulging in dangerous driving
behaviors. Their recommendations include: know the
Junior Operator Laws, discuss driving and driving
behavior as early as 13 or 14, and stay with the
program, don’t relent. Family rules should include
no friends in the car without an adult, no driving
after 10 PM, no alcohol or drugs, and no
distractions while driving (eating, brushing/combing
hair, cell phones etc.). Most parents will find it
difficult to closely supervise the passengers in
their young driver’s car, and even more difficult to
prevent their child from being a passenger in
another young driver’s car, but networking with
other parents may make this easier. None of this
will be painless; however keep the goal in mind –
their safety.
A
Brief overview of the Junior Operator License
Restrictions:
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No passengers during
the first six months of licensure, other than an
immediate family member, unless accompanied by a
licensed person over 21 in the front passenger
seat. License suspension for violation of this
requirement is 60 days for a first offense, 180
days for a second offense and one year for any
subsequent offense.
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Junior Operator may
not operate a vehicle between 12:30 AM and 5:00
AM without a parent/guardian. License
suspensions for violations of this requirement
are the same as above. Operating during these
times would be considered unlicensed, and the
fine could be $100 to $1000.
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Negligent or
reckless operation can result in a suspension of
up to 180 days for a first offense.
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A first offense
for speeding can result in a 90 day
suspension, plus the usual fines, plus
completion of SCARR (State Courts Against Road
Rage) program, plus completion of an attitudinal
retraining course. Second and subsequent
offenses have a one-year suspension along with
the other requirements. License reinstatement
fee is $500, plus a 2nd road test.
More information is available at
www.mass.gov/rmv (Registry of Motor Vehicles)
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