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State Representative Kim Norton
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-9249
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
Press/News Releases
EFFORT TO SAVE TEENS SENT TO GOVERNOR FOR FINAL APPROVAL
ST. PAUL - Yesterday the Minnesota House passed an initiative included in the Omnibus Transportation Policy conference report (HF 3800/SF 3223) that would modify provisional licenses for teen drivers - giving them more time behind the wheel with fewer distractions. The Graduated Drivers License (GDL) measure, authored by State Rep. Kim Norton (DFL - Rochester), is similar to statutes already on the books in 46 other states - laws proven to reduce teen driving deaths by up to 40 percent. The bill passed by a vote of 88 to 43.
"According to the Minnesota Department of Health, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in Minnesota," said Rep. Norton. "GDL is a common sense solution to a very serious problem. By enacting this new standard, we can give our young drivers six more months to become more mature drivers, capable of driving responsibly. As demonstrated in 46 other states, it can dramatically reduce the amount of teen driving deaths in Minnesota."
The new GDL law would require the following:
§ For the first 6 months, only one passenger under the age of 20 (who is not a family member) would be
allowed in the vehicle;
§ For the second 6 months, up to 3 non-family passengers would be allowed in the vehicle; and
§ Hours of driving for provisional license holders would be restricted between midnight and 5:00am, except
to drive to work, school, or with a licensed driver over the age of 25.
GDL would apply to holders of provisional drivers licenses in the State of Minnesota. Provisional drivers licenses are licenses given to young drivers who are at least 16 years old, have completed their drivers education courses, passed their road test, and have possessed a drivers permit for at least six months without incident. Currently provisional licensees are not allowed to use a cell phone while driving and must have every passenger under 18 buckled up.
"Prohibiting the use of cell phones behind the wheel isn't enough," said Norton. "Right now we're giving teenagers the car keys without giving these young drivers the experience they need to operate the vehicle safely and responsibly. GDL would change that."
Norton cited the following statistics as information that helped create the impetus for this important piece of legislation:
§ Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for a Minnesota teen. (MN Dept of Health Center of
Health Statistics 1999-2003; MN DOT 2001-2005).
§ Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for US teens, accounting for 36% of all deaths in
this age group. In 2005, 4,544 teens ages 16 to 19 - an average of twelve a day - died in motor vehicle
crashes (CDC April 29, 2008).
§ Drivers aged 16-17 with two or more passengers are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal crash, and
1.5 times more likely to be involved in an injury crash that adult drivers with the same passenger load
(CODES 2007).
§ 62 percent of teenage passenger deaths in the US in 2006 occurred in vehicles driven by another
teenager. Among deaths of passengers of all ages, 20 percent occurred when a teenager was driving
(IIHS 2006).
§ Teens represent 7.5% of the licensed drivers, but 15% of crash-involved drivers (MN DOT 2001-2005)
§ Distracted driving was a factor in 25% of teen drive crashes, but only 16% for all other age groups
(MNDOT 2001-2005).
§ Per miles driven, the crash involvement rate of Minnesota 16-17 year old drivers was 3 times that of adult
drivers (24-59) and the fatal crash involvement rate was 4.5 times that of adult drivers (CODES 2007).
§ Per miles driven, the nighttime (10 p.m. - 5 a.m.) injury crash-involvement rate for 16-17 year old drivers
is nearly 4 times that of adult drivers (CODES 2007).
§ In 2004 the number of MN crash deaths by age group demonstrates the highest number (78) for 15-19
year olds, followed closely (71) by 20-24 year olds - the next closest number (42) was for 25-29 year olds
with somewhat similar numbers for other age brackets studies (2005 MN Dept. of Public Safety Office of
Traffic Safety).
§ Only 4 states (MN, ND, KS, AR) do not have some form of GLD - either night restrictions, passenger
limitations or, most common, both (AAA).
§ The most comprehensive GDL programs are associated with reductions of 38% for fatal crashes and 40%
for injury crashes of 16-year old drivers. “Research has shown that the most comprehensive GDL systems
are associated with motor-vehicle crash reductions of up to 40%" (CDC, Apr. 29, 2008).
"The facts speak for themselves - our children die when there are more kids and distractions in the car," said Rep. Norton. "A GDL standard in Minnesota will prevent such unnecessary, tragic deaths and give our teens the tools they need to become better drivers."
Additional information on HF 3800 can be found online at www.house.mn.
News Items
- Rep. Norton Selected as Vice Chair of House Health and Human Services Finance Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-14 00:00:00)
- It’s Time for Legislature to Get Back to Basics, Balance the Budget Honestly - (Posted: 2012-12-11 00:00:00)
- Second Saturday Coffee Meeting Date Changed to December 9 - (Posted: 2012-12-03 00:00:00)
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