Shannon Willis

Harsh Teen Driving Laws

Too many laws. Not enough freedom.

Kids across Johnson Country are becoming annoyed with the harsh driving restrictions placed on new drivers.  The old driving laws from the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles used to allow young drivers to obtain a full license at the age of 16 with no additional restrictions.  As of the first days in 2013, the department changed the law and prohibited Kansas teens from getting a full, unrestricted license before the age of 16.5.  This has caused a large controversy and to many, seems unfair and unreasonable.

The additional restrictions included with the 16 year old license are the following: Drivers may only drive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., regardless of the day, up to one other person, not family related is allowed to be in the car with the partially licensed driver.  The new laws delay new drivers six months from getting their license, which is hard for kids with late birthdays.  Many see it as beneficial to the safety of other drivers, but for the kids, it hinders their ability to get around.

The early driving curfew has sparked large controversies from teens and parents alike.  Returning at 9 p.pm., especially on weekend nights seems ridiculous and unreasonable.  Kids are involved in a variety of sports, school and church activities, and family obligations and could run later. Kids are then left to drive home, illegally, with no control over the situation.  Also, the weekends are for kids to relax and enjoy time out with friends, not worrying they won’t make it home by their ridiculous curfew.

The Star Tribune explains that, “Teenage drivers don’t even follow the laws as they are anyways, so they may as well change it so kids would be more willing to obey it.”

Many kids don’t fell obligated to follow the law as it stands, which increases risky behavior. Also, the law only allows kids to drop the restrictions at their 16.5 birthday, which makes the situation unfair for the majority of kids in the same grade.  Specific kids are allowed to drive, in some cases, a full nine months or more before their peers.  Being in the same grade, it is more than likely that the kids are at relatively the same maturity level.

“I understand the law’s intentions,” Freshman Marin Hodges admits, “but I feel that their demands are too harsh for the average, socially active high school student.  A lot of times, even on weeknights, I don’t find myself at home until 10 because I’m out working on school work with study groups and things.”

Sophomore Sabrina Cline adds her opinion about how birthday’s-not maturity level or driving knowledge-is not accurate enough to discern the time kids are allowed to drive and receive their license.

“It isn’t fair that kids three months older than me can drive three months before me when we’ve been driving for the same amount of time, are in the same grade, and therefore at the same maturity level to a degree.

It is understood that stricter laws may result in fewer teen car wrecks, safer roads, and smarter drivers, but kids need to be given more responsibility and freedom. Maturity test and extensive driving tests should be given to determine teens readiness to be behind the wheel.

The law should be changed to allow kids to drive later on weekend nights as that is the biggest obstacle for many.  Also, kids should be able to obtain a license after successfully passing both written and physical driving tests, and maintaing an accident and ticket free record.

With these revisions, teen drivers will not only be more knowledgable but they will adequately understand the rules of the road.  We must be aware of these ridiculous driving laws and strive for necessary changes to benefit our teens who are ready for the freedom and responsibility to handle the wheel. The way we view and direct our teens must change in order to shape a prosperous and successful generation.