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Teen drivers may face another speed bump in the road to driving freedom if state lawmakers get their way. Senators consider
legislation to limit teen
driving at nightBy Lisa Asato
Star-BulletinSenators today were to consider a bill that would impose a chaperoned night curfew on drivers under 18 in a move that one parent calls "a little extreme."
The move comes one month after stricter driver licensing requirements for teens took effect. Prospective drivers under 18 now must undergo driver's education and must be 15 to get a learner's permit and 16 for a driver's license.
This morning, the Senate Judiciary Committee was to hear testimony on Senate Bill 211, which would do two things.
First, it would require drivers under 18 to be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years or older between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Second, instead of simply paying a traffic fine through the mail, teens would be required to appear in court and face license suspension or revocation, and perhaps a fine.
"It would certainly cut down some of the problems with kids being out really late and doing inappropriate things, but it seems a little extreme," said Marcia Akamu, parent to 14-year-old Bradley.
"When I was that age I would stay out until 4 o'clock (a.m.) on a date," she said. Now it would be like "Oh, oh, 11 o'clock, gotta get you home."
Teen drivers out for school-related activities or for work would be exempt, provided they carry a signed note from a parent or employer.
Seventeen-year-old driver Ezekiel Infiel doubted the effectiveness of the law.
"All your parents would have to do is sign a note so anybody could just forge it," he said.
Twelve states take an even stricter approach, banning nighttime driving for all beginning drivers. South Carolina imposes the strictest hours, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to the American Automobile Association Inc.
Although teen accidents occur more often from 3-6 p.m., late night crashes are more serious, often resulting in serious injury or death, said Marilyn Kali, spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation.
Kali also said California reduced its teen crashes and fatalities by 50 percent after imposing a nighttime restriction about three years ago.
She called the chaperoned curfew "part of the process of earning the right to drive."
Sgt. Robert Lung, administrator of the Honolulu Police Department's Traffic Division, agreed. He also said police wouldn't target young drivers and would only stop them should they violate a traffic law such as speeding or running a red light.
Meanwhile, Tim Dayton, Hawaii's general manager for Geico Direct, said insurance companies in Hawaii don't charge more for young drivers. But, he added, a more structured driving experience over the long haul will help hold down the cost of auto insurance.
Geico has 78,000 policies statewide, or about 17 percent of the state's insured cars, he said.
Senate Bill 211 has already won approval by the Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee by a vote of 5-0.
Number of Hawaii driver's licenses in 1999 by age: DRIVING BY NUMBERS
15-19 years old: 37,729
Source: State of Hawaii Data Book 1999 online at http://www.state.hi.us/dbedt/
Here's a breakdown of the number of teens involved in crashes by time of day in 1999.
Source: state Department of Transportation online at
http://www.state.hi.us/dot/publicaffairs/drivered
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