Monday, May 17, 2004
Opponents say limits could make it harder for teens to get to school or activities.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Advocates for changing Ohio law to keep 16- and 17-year-olds from driving with an unlimited number of friends say more people in the car means more distractions, especially for inexperienced drivers.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety, the AAA Ohio Motorists Association and others say changing the law would save lives and reduce the number of accidents that occur when young drivers are distracted or take unnecessary risks such as speeding.
The rules could be as strict as no more than one passenger, other than a family member.
"When you have a passenger with a 16-year-old driver, you double the likelihood of being in a crash," said Dennis Burke, executive director of the Ohio Motorists Safety Foundation. "If you have two or more passengers, you are five times more likely to be in a crash."
Nationally, about half the states impose restrictions on teen drivers who have graduated from the learner's permit stage.
In Ohio, the only passenger restriction on young drivers is that everyone must wear a seat belt.
"Teens take greater risks when there are other teens in the car, such as speeding or overtaking other cars, turning around to talk to someone, or passengers grabbing the steering wheel," said Brian Newbacher, spokesman for the AAA club covering most of Northeast Ohio.
Newbacher cited a recent survey of AAA members across Ohio in which 87 percent said they would support "restrictions on the number of teen passengers that teen drivers can have in their vehicle."
State Rep. Jim Trakas, a Republican of Independence, promised AAA last week to sponsor legislation next year if he is re-elected.
Trakas said having the Department of Public Safety's support means the legislation has a good chance of becoming law.
Lakewood High School senior Anna Crute, 17, said the restriction could pose problems.
"Everyone would drive separately, which would cause more traffic," Anna said after driving several friends to Edgewater Park in Cleveland. "And a lot of teenagers don't have cars. It would be hard to get places."
Parents such as Jacki Capasso of Cleveland are concerned about getting kids to school and school events.
"It would be a problem for me," Capasso said. "It's not practical. Maybe the first couple of months, but not one or two years."