New Driving Law: Helpful or Annoying?

The new driving law will have a negative effect on most teen drivers. From what some Jamesville-DeWitt High School teens have said, the law will not make a difference on the amount of car accidents. "There are other reasons (besides passenger distractions) why accidents can happen," says senior Tara Prosak. However, it will make it tougher for them to get around.

On Feb. 22, it became illegal for a person under the age of 18 to drive with more than one other person in the car under the age of 21 who is not a family member unless the driver's guardian is in the car.

One reason why teens are against the new driving law is because it will be harder to drive with friends. Carpooling is a common way for teens to get from here to there with their friends. With the new law, who is driving and how many people are in the car will matter, instead of consolidating rides.

The law also changed the number of hours needed between getting your learners permit to taking your driver's test from 20 to 50. Junior Harry Kalet has a strong opinion on the addition of 30 extra hours. "I got screwed over," Kalet says. "It sucks."

While some teens think that the law is a bad idea, some think that the law will make a positive difference. "I think it will keep the road safe," says sophomore Sam Wormuth. "I can see why it's a good idea," sophomore Erik Davis says. "It will make sure that you're more experienced when you're driving," says Davis. "I don't really care because my mom would make me do it anyways," say sophomore Lydia Nevin.

Some adults are in favor of the law, too. "I think that it's a good idea. There's so many distractions now that kids need more experience," says technology teacher Larry Stroh.