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Mar 27, 2008 6:48 pm US/Eastern
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Lawmakers Consider Changes To Learner's Permits
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) ―
Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Now, Maryland may give young people more practice behind the wheel.
Suzanne Collins reports on a measure to extend the time for a learner's permit in Maryland.
The stories of young people losing their lives suddenly are sad ones.
"They are four times more likely to be in accidents. Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for 15-20-year-olds," said Transportation Secretary John Porcari.
Porcari is pushing a bill that would give teens more time to learn how to drive while still being supervised by their parent or a mature driver.
The bill that lets a new driver keep a learner's permit for two full years has already passed the full House of Delegates. The state wants parents to decide if a teen is really ready in just six months or a year to take to the road alone or do they need that extra time.
"All your life you watch them grow up and take care of them. All of a sudden, you're going to put them in a car by themselves and say 'alright, go ahead.' So, we're concerned about that," said father Johnny Ely.
Parents can also intercede once a teen gets a provisional license. The MVA would like parents to know they can take a teen's car keys away. They have the legal right to come to the MVA and have a teen's license taken away.
"They can spend more time with a parent or guardian on the road in a controlled situation. The more experience, the better," said Porcari.
A Senate committee is debating the bill extending the learner's permit after learning other states have adopted that measure.
No one testified against the bill to extend the period for a learner's permit during Thursday's hearing.
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