ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
Utah law prohibiting new drivers from having friends in car could soon change
Feb 2, 2024, 8:42 AM
A proposed bill, HB351, would allow teen drivers to have a single friend in the car, which Utah's safety campaign doubles the risk of a crash. Here student driver Oliver Best is behind the wheel. (Eddie Collins, KSL TV)
(Eddie Collins, KSL TV)
SALT LAKE CITY — A longtime law in Utah prohibiting teens from driving with friends in the car for a certain period of time may soon change.
Dave and Debbie weigh in at 9:05!
A House committee gave the green light Thursday afternoon to HB351, sponsored by Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, that would allow 16- and 17-year-old drivers to have one friend in the vehicle during the six months after receiving a driver’s license.
The bill passed out of the House Transportation Committee with a 7 to 5 vote.
“Our kids are doing this. They are driving with other friends, and they’re breaking the law,” Birkeland said. “So maybe the law should change.”
Birkeland said she got the idea for the bill after her daughter was pulled over recently and cited for having friends in the vehicle soon after receiving her license.
“It’s very common – especially in rural communities when your kid’s going to drive a half hour or hour into a city to carpool – to have them ride together,” Birkeland said. “I know, as a mom, I don’t want my 16-year-old driving at night by herself.”
Dave McConnell, owner of Dave’s Driving School who has taught teen drivers for more than 40 years, told KSL TV he recognizes the law is likely not widely followed, and that many teenagers don’t like it.
But, he added, the reason behind the law is clear.
“It’s safer not to have people in the car with you,” he said. “I’m a better driver when I’m by myself. Kids are a better driver when they’re by themselves. There’s just no doubt about that.”
Continue reading at ksltv.com.
Related: UHP cracking down on distracted driving in Salt lake City
