Oct 5, 2008 11:58 pm US/Eastern
New Laws Target Dangerous Teen Driving
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Teens getting behind the wheel have new rules to abide by.
CBS
Teens getting behind the wheel have new rules to abide by.
Jessica Kartalija explains new laws go into effect this month affecting drivers under 18.
Sixteen-year-old Eric Waite can't wait to get his driver's license.
"I'm really excited to start driving," he said.
But Eric has to wait until he is 16 and four months before he gets his license. New laws that went into effect at the start of the month require new drivers to put in extra hours.
"Not a huge fan. I think driving is a huge part of independence and I think we are ready for that at 16," Waite said.
Under the new Maryland law, you can forget about using your cell phone if you're under 18, whether you have your license or a permit, so text messaging is out. You also need at least six months of driving behind the wheel with your permit, and at least 60 hours of experience. Ten of those hours have to be driving in the dark.
"Teenagers or young drivers when they are driving, the more experience they'll get, the better off they'll be," said Ragina Avarella with AAA Mid-Atlantic.
From now on, when teens make mistakes behind the wheel, Mom and Dad will hear about it.
"Legislation was passed during this past legislative session that requires the MVA to notify parents if in fact their young teen driver receives any type of violation at all," Avarella said.
As for Eric, he gets his license Oct. 24.
Under the new law, drivers under 18 cannot carry minors for five months after getting their license.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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