Making a U-Turn on Teen Driving

The Brady-Jared Teen Driver Safety Act, which has passed the state Senate and is awaiting Assembly approval, would prohibit 16- and 17-year-olds from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. without a parent or a licensed 25-year-old driver. For the first six months after becoming licensed, these teens would not be permitted to drive other teenagers without the presence of an adult. The measure also extends the learner’s permit period from one month to six months. The bill is named for two boys who died in separate car accidents at the hands of teen drivers. MARY REESE BOYKIN talked to teenagers about the proposed changes.

JARED ADDERLY

17, senior, Daniel Murphy Catholic High School

Four days ago, I got my driver’s license. I celebrated by driving my friends around the city. It felt good. I had to wait 1 1/2 years because I got caught driving (alone) with only a learner’s permit.

If 16- and 17-year-olds must have an adult in the car to ride around with their friends, then why not just wait until teens are 18 before they get a license? The whole sense of freedom is being able to go out and not have to worry about parents.

I am a responsible driver; I see the accidents on television. I don’t take the attitude, “It could never happen to me.” But I don’t think the law will work. The police will get tired of passing out tickets left and right.

STEPHEN SYKES

17, senior, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies

The bill is too strict. Why do you need 50 hours of supervised training for teens who have a permit? When you get a permit, you basically know how to drive.

My friends are responsible drivers. You can see that: I am here in one piece. If they drive crazy, I won’t go out with them.

My parents have rules. For me to go out with other teens, my parents have to know the driver. The driver must have a license and insurance.

Teens can find a way around the rules. Take the rule about teens having to be with an adult if out past midnight. All you have to do is get a 25-year-old who thinks and acts like a teen to be in the car and bypass that rule.

OSCAR C. WARD III

17, senior, Crenshaw High School

My friends and I are safe drivers. We follow all the rules, don’t show off because others are in the car. We play our music moderately.

In my neighborhood, people like to ride up and down Crenshaw Boulevard on Saturday and Sunday nights. They like to show off their cars. Guys and girls park their cars and talk to each other. There are too many cars to speed. I am not aware of any problems, just a lot of young people having fun. Maybe the midnight to 5 a.m. curfew is desired because those are the hours that car thefts, robbery and gang violence frequently occur.

I don’t think it’s necessary for adults to be in the car. You didn’t get a license to be accompanied by parents.