Panel OKs
teen driver’s
license program

A bill would create an extra
step to get driver's licenses

A proposal that would make it harder for 16-year-olds to become fully licensed drivers is advancing in the Legislature.

The "graduated driver's license" program passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday by a 4-2 vote after lawmakers agreed to study whether it reduces accidents to the point where insurance companies should lower rates for everyone.

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Vice Chairman Clayton Hee (D, Kahuku-Kaneohe) was the deciding vote, saying he would support the program only if it required insurance companies to roll back rates across the board. He called the insurance industry "benign profiteers" of such legislation.

"We can conclude that the basis of legislation like this is to prevent accidents, therefore the insurance industry will be impacted," Hee said. "If you want my support, this is how it goes."

He supported the bill with amendments suggested by Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland (D, Kalihi-Liliha) that would have the law expire after three years. In the meantime, the state Transportation and Health departments would study whether the program is reducing crashes involving young drivers and report to the Legislature.

If the data shows a reduction in crashes after three years, future Legislatures would be charged with keeping it alive and deciding whether to impose the rollbacks on insurance companies.

Carolyn Fujioka, a spokeswoman for State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., said the idea of tying graduated licenses to insurance rates "doesn't make sense."

"What it could do is reduce the number of accidents, but the issue is how much does it reduce," she said.

"That sort of thing is taken care of by the marketplace," she added. "If there is a reduction in costs and number of accidents, companies are going to reduce their rates to remain competitive."

She noted that 40 other states have similar licensing programs.

House Bill 150, Senate Draft 2, would add a step in between the traditional learner's permit, which teenagers can get at 15 1/2 years of age, and the regular license. Teenagers could qualify for a "provisional" license at 16 and would have to maintain a clean driving record to obtain their full license at 17.

The provisional license would place restrictions on when teenagers could drive alone and when they would be required to be accompanied by a licensed driver.

Gov. Linda Lingle supports the measure but says any adjustment of insurance rates should be left to the state insurance commissioner.

"I think it's a very important bill ... to cut down on the number of young people killed and injured in motor vehicle accidents," Lingle said. "The fact that it is graduated doesn't mean you can't get a license at a relatively young age. You're going to have (to) earn privileges as you go along."

Judiciary Chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli-Makua) opposed the mandated rollback for insurance companies but acknowledged that its inclusion would attract more support for the bill.

The graduated license program traditionally has faced strong opposition from neighbor island lawmakers, who say families in rural areas often rely on younger drivers for their livelihood. Other opponents argue that the bill punishes responsible teenagers by forcing them to go through requirements aimed at weeding out reckless teens.

"An 18-year-old can go to war, drive tanks and shoot cannons, but we're telling them they can't drive a car. That's crazy," said Sen. Paul Whalen (R, Milolii-Waimea).