Driving - new learner's permit laws

[ibneko]

The following safe driving bills were signed May 26 and become effective Oct. 1:

*House Bill 393: Prohibits drivers who are minors from transporting other passengers under age 18. Sponsored by Del. Adrienne A. Mandel (D-Dist. 19) of Silver Spring.

*House Bill 394 / Senate Bill 50: Bars learner's permit holders from using cell phones while driving. Sponsored by Del. William A. Bronrott (D-Dist. 16) of Bethesda and Sens. Jennie M. Forehand (D-Dist. 17) of Rockville and Brian E. Frosh (D-Dist. 16) of Bethesda.

*House Bill 395: Requires learner's permit holders to spend at least 60 hours practicing with an older, more experienced driver before acquiring a driver's license, and requires at least 10 hours of practice at nighttime. Sponsored by Bronrott.

*Senate Bill 206: Makes people who acquire provisional driver's licenses wait 18 months before obtaining a standard driver's license. The waiting period, which is current law, will start anew from the date the driver violates night driving or safety restraint restrictions, or when the individual's driving privileges are restored. Sponsored on behalf of the Ehrlich administration.

*Senate Bill 209: Raises the minimum age for obtaining a provisional permit to 16 years, 3 months and the minimum age for obtaining a standard driver's license to 17 years, 9 months. Sponsored on behalf of the Ehrlich administration.

[ source | http://www.gazette.net/200522/montgomerycty/state/277588-1.html ]

.xxx domains are now available. It'd be so amusing to see all of the .edu domains with a mirror .xxx domain. ie. www.uiuc.xxx, www.mit.xxx, etc.

[ source | http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/02/AR2005060201927.html?referrer=email ]

Comments

[starkravingsane.livejournal.com]

*House Bill 393: Prohibits drivers who are minors from transporting other passengers under age 18. Sponsored by Del. Adrienne A. Mandel (D-Dist. 19) of Silver Spring.

That's the only one that seems unreasonable to me. It's completely impractical, and a bit stupid - honestly, two 17-year-olds with drivers' licenses can't drive each other? Come *on*.
You're not going to reduce the number of teen driving accidents like that - you're just going to make it a lot harder for those kids who aren't rich enough to afford their own cars to get home from school.
The 18-month provisional thing isn't actually a change, though, is it?

[ibneko.livejournal.com]

::nods, shrugs::

Hey, wait, what do they mean by minors? under 18? or under 21? ::blinks::

[starkravingsane.livejournal.com]

My guess is under 18. With driving, under 21 typically only applies to alcohol.

[ibneko.livejournal.com]

Mm, regardless, they be silly.