Press release

 For immediate release

Contact: Rep. Don humason, Jr.  568-1366

 June 21, 2006

 

House Passes Junior Operators License Law Changes

 

Don humason, Jr., westfield’s state representative, announced that a redraft of a bill relating to junior operators in the commonwealth was passed by a 141-5 vote in the House of Representatives late last thursday.

 “in response to an increasing number of tragic automobile accidents involving young drivers that resulted in the deaths or serious injury of the junior operators and their passengers the house revisited the law and made some changes,” Humason said.

 Highlights of the bill include:

 Giving the registry of motor vehicles the authority over drivers education schools in the state where they were previously overseen by the department of education

 An increase to 12 hours of behind the wheel driving during the time a youngster takes drivers education

 An increase to 40 hours that a permitted youngster must drive with a parent or 30 hours if a child takes a rmv-approved defensive driving course

 Parental participation in 2 hours of the required 30 hours of classroom training a child must get during driver ed

 An increase in penalties for those who violate the passenger and time restriction while driving with a jol or drivers permit to 60 day license suspension for a first time violation, 180 for a second offense and a 1-year suspension for a third or subsequent violation, with both violations now a primary offense (which means that police can now pull you over for the offenses).

 An increase in penalties for those who violate the speeding laws. In addition to existing fines there will be a 90 day loss of license for a first offense and a one year loss of license for a second and subsequent offense which will also carry a $500 fee for reinstatement of ones license. 

 “we need to send a strong message to junior operators and parents alike that speed is the number one factor in car crashes and if you break the speeding laws there will be consequences,” said Humason.

 Items not included in bill:

 Increasing the age to 17.5 years before you can obtain a jol.

 The move to ban cell phones for junior operators was ultimately not adopted.

 The amendment to make seat belt usage a primary enforcement issue for junior operators was not adopted.

 The move to allow junior operators to drive with their young siblings in the vehicle during the first six months was debated and defeated by a vote of 100-46.

 The bill now moves to the state senate for their deliberation of the proposal.