KANSAS TEENAGERS who will turn 16 after Jan. 1, 2010, are probably going to be irked at the Legislature.
Last week, the lawmakers in Topeka passed a bill that would raise the age for receiving an unrestricted Kansas driver’s license from 16 to 17. The governor is expected to sign the bill. Kids of 14 and 15 who have been looking forward to the feeling of liberation that comes with turning 16 and getting the freedom to drive where they wish and with whom they wish will find their dreams postponed for another year. At 16, a year can seem like forever.
The law does not just shift the age for full driving privileges. It also makes it illegal for drivers under 17 to drive late at night without an adult in the car, from using a cell phone while driving or from driving with more than one passenger under the age of 18.
Bad driving will carry new penalties. Teens convicted of two or more moving violations will not be able to get unrestricted licenses until they are 18.
But while the law taketh away, it also giveth. A good driving record will bring rewards. A 16-year-old who drives for six months without committing any moving violations will have some of the standard restrictions lifted.
Why, in the middle of the argle-bargle over the state budget, did the Legislature take the time to rewrite the driver’s license laws? Because it is important.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports that teen drivers, who comprise only 6 percent of drivers in the state, are involved in 20 percent of the traffic accidents. In 2007, traffic accidents killed 68 teenagers and injured 4,500 more. That’s a lot of tears and pain.
The Wichita Eagle said that after the Kansas Senate vote that sent the bill to the governor, Sen. David Haley of Kansas City said he had voted for the bill against the wishes of his teenage daughter.
He might have been speaking for all the parents of Kansas when he explained his reasoning:
“In your face, my dear. Daddy loves you.”
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Oh Pat, give me a break!
Moving up the legal driving age will make no difference in traffic accidents. A rookie 18-year old driver will make the same mistakes as a rookie 16-year old. This is a terrible piece of legislation, but coming from the Kansas Legislature, I'm not surprised.
March 23, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Emporiafan (anonymous) says...
No kidding....I saw a 30 something women swerving all over the place yesterday while texting....AND had a women follow me so close to church yesterday I could not see her front bumper and I am not one to drive slow...I was going the speed limit though for a change. But you know....dang teenagers...whatever.
March 23, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Emporiafan (anonymous) says...
sorry...that should have said "woman" for all the grammer police out there ;-)
March 23, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
howdo (anonymous) says...
Well, at least we have something else to complain about!
March 23, 2009 at 6:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Nice try Kansas, but I dont see how going from 16 to 17 will make a difference. I guess they have to look like they are doing something up there in their seats.
March 23, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
glarson (anonymous) says...
For clarification on the new driving bill, go to the KDOT Web site, www.ksdot.org. The Recent News Releases box is the second one. Click on "Unrestricted driver’s license age would be 16 ½ under bill."
I know it clarified some questions I had (such as only 1 underage passenger... not helpful with an oldest child who might be asked to transport two younger siblings.)
Gwen Larson
March 24, 2009 at 6:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
They put the number of passengers in there since the chance of an accident is supposed to go up exponentially by the number of passengers. I agree it could be a hardship for families with several kids. I think it was aimed at groups of kids out squirrelling around in a car. I can attest from personal experience that passengers can be a huge distraction. I think the most important thing parents can teach their young drivers is that this is a heavy piece of equipment that can hurt or kill someone. Make them aware of the possible consequences of reckless driving and maybe they'll drive more carefully.
March 24, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4Jayhawks (anonymous) says...
IMO it is a good law. A teenage can mature a lot in a year and be more responsible. I also think the passenger limit is a good idea. I have seen cars by the high school at lunch time packed full of teenagers. How safe can that be. An even better law, like some other countries, would be for them to wait till 18 to get a drivers license. It would also help if they would offer or even make it mandatory for drivers ed in high school.
March 24, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )