Senator William H. Nickerson (R-Greenwich) today joined in the unanimous passage by the Senate of a bill which places restrictions on teenage nighttime driving. The bill (Senate Bill 5446) has already passed the House and now goes to the Governor's desk.
The bill prohibits sixteen and seventeen year old licensed drivers from driving from midnight to 5:00 AM, with certain exceptions pertaining to employment, school or medical necessity.
Nickerson said, "This is vital legislation which addresses the reality that teenagers need to develop experience and maturity before they drive at late night hours. We know that:
• Teenagers are a small part of the driving population, but a significantly larger part of the driving population involved
in fatal accidents .
• The most significant cause of death among teenagers is automobile accidents"
"The purpose here is not to punish teenagers but to save lives by providing reasonable restrictions. While this will be a temporary inconvenience for some, in the long run it will preserve lives of teenagers and others traveling Connecticut roads - what could be more important than that?"
Nickerson supported the bill when it passed the Transportation Committee earlier in the session. |
