Published: April 16, 2009 01:44 pm      

Indiana House approves bill on new rules for teen drivers

No cell phones, texting for drivers under 18

INDIANAPOLIS— Teens would have to log at least 50 hours of supervised driving and wait longer before receiving a driver’s license under a bill passed by the Indiana House on Wednesday.

The bill approved 93-6 also would ban drivers younger than 18 from using cell phones and other telecommunications devices while behind the wheel.

Proponents say research has shown that experience and maturity are key factors in safe driving, and the bill would save lives.

“We need to do something to protect these young lives that have so much promise,” said Rep. Cleo Duncan, R-Greensburg.

Some opponents said the bill was unnecessary government intrusion.

“At some point we have to quit turning over our children to the government and begin to raise our children ourselves,” said Rep. Michael Murphy, R-Indianapolis.

The bill must return to the Senate for consideration of changes made in the House. But the Senate sponsor, Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, said he was hopeful the chamber would simply concur with the changes and vote to send the bill to the governor.

Under the bill, teen drivers with learner’s permits would be required to have 50 hours of supervised driving experience — 10 of those hours at night — with a licensed driver age 25 or older before obtaining a driver’s license. That would take effect in July 2010 under the revised bill.

It also would raise the minimum age for a probationary license from 16 years and one month to 16 years and six months.

Some lawmakers have said if the bill passes, an awareness campaign should be carried out to inform parents and youths of any new requirements.

Rep. Vanessa Summers, D-Indianapolis, has tried unsuccessfully for several years to get a law passed that would prohibit anyone, regardless of age, from using cell phones while driving. She cited the failure of her efforts as a reason to vote against the teen driver bill on Wednesday.

“Shame on you all for not doing something for yourself that you’re asking your children not to do,” Summers said in reference to the cell phone provision.