Reigning in teen drivers

While the market might be saturating our daily lives with distractions, Indiana legislators are looking to keep the focus on the road.

In a world where texting and phone calls are as involved in the process of driving as putting your hands on the wheel, it is about time that Indiana puts some regulation on what teen drivers are doing before and after they get their licenses.

If passed, Senate Bill 16 would add a laundry list of new regulations for teenagers seeking their licenses. These rules would mandate that adolescents spend more time on the road before they are granted their mobile freedom.

The bill would require that drivers complete 50 hours of practice before being eligible for their licenses. Of those 50 hours, 10 must take place at night. These practice hours must be under the supervision of a licensed driver of at least 25 years of age.

Stipulations such as these can help inexperienced drivers get a better handle on the road.

On top of the extended practice hours, new drivers would have a probation period of 180 days after obtaining their licenses. During this period, new drivers would not able to drive with a passenger or engage in late-night driving.

While this might seem inconvenient to young drivers, it is necessary to help save lives. And in a world where super connectivity is key, keeping in touch with others should not take precedence over safe driving.

Studies have shown that the leading cause of car crashes is driver inattention, and the most prevalent distraction in the car is cell phone use. When combined with the inexperience of new drivers, the danger on the road can only grow. Already, 6 percent of all crashes are a result of cell phone use, causing a total of 2,600 deaths each year.

In a study conducted in the UK, researchers discovered that motorists had a 35 percent decrease in reaction time while texting. This is compared to a 21 percent drop while under the influence of marijuana and a 12 percent drop while at the legal limit of alcohol.

While there might be an inherent inconvenience in staying out of touch while in transport, there is no question that staying safe is more important than sending a text message.

Combined with the extra practice hours required in the bill, new drivers can’t help but be safer on the road.