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February 22, 2006

Dave Druker
State Rep. D'Amico

House Approves Measure Requiring Increased Training For Teen Drivers

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House of Representatives today unanimously approved legislation backed by Secretary of State Jesse White and State Representative John D'Amico (D-15) to strengthen the Illinois Graduated Drivers license program including increasing the amount of practice time young drivers will need before being able to obtain an Illinois driver's license.

"I want to thank Representative D'Amico and the members of the House of Representatives for approving this meaningful legislation," said White. "I believe this will help give young people more experience behind the wheel, in a variety of situations, helping them to become better drivers, and as a result, make the roads of Illinois safer."

House Bill 4768 would require parents to spend 50 hours with their child in the car, including 10 hours of night driving, before the young person would be eligible for an Illinois driver's license. In addition, parents would have to sign a form before the student would go to get the license.

Illinois law currently requires parents to spend 25 hours with the student driver behind the wheel, and signing a consent form before the student receives a driving permit.

"This is a common-sense idea to deal with the issue of how to better train young people as they prepare to drive, and I look forward to working with Secretary White and my colleagues in the General Assembly to pass this legislation," D'Amico said.

The legislative proposal is supported by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Illinois Traffic Safety Leaders, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, and the Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association.

"NHTSA joins Secretary White and Representative D'Amico in supporting this legislation that will strengthen the current GDL law by adding additional hours behind the wheel, including nighttime driving hours," said Mike Witter, NHTSA Deputy Regional Administrator.

If the bill becomes law, Illinois would join 18 other states, which require at least 50 hours with a parent in the car, including California, Florida, Michigan and Ohio. The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration.