Gov. M. Jodi Rell outlined several proposals Tuesday aimed at making teenage drivers safer, but said the General Assembly will not support a measure to increase the driving age from 16 to 17.
But state House Speaker James Amann, D-Milford, said he is not sure why Rell would make such a remark, and he’d be “willing to look at” increasing the driving age. “The governor should never say never,” Amann said.
Rell, while in Stratford, said she was aware that two Amity Regional High School teens were killed Monday night in a motor vehicle accident. They are the sixth and seventh teens to die on state roads this year. The accident comes three weeks after two Milford teens were killed when the car they were driving crashed at the Westfield Connecticut Post mall.
Rell, who formed the Teen Driving Task Force in November to make recommendations aimed at changing teen driving laws, said Tuesday she is urging the General Assembly to act on an “emergency” basis to enact proposals from the task force.
Rell said she is calling on the legislature to act immediately because, “We are facing a crisis among teenage drivers that is reaching emergency proportions and calls for quick, decisive legislative action. “
Amann said he has not even seen the task force proposals, and there are many issues the legislature is debating. He said there is “no doubt” the legislature will tackle the issue before the session ends in early May.
The governor highlighted several proposed changes, including more training for teen drivers. Currently, the law mandates 20 hours before a teen can drive alone, and the task force is recommending an increase to 50 hours.
Also, Rell wants the curfew for teen drivers rolled back from midnight to 11 p.m., though there could be an exemption for teens who work. She said the task force wants first-time speeding offenders to lose their licenses for 30 days. Now, there is only a fine.
DMV Commissioner Robert Ward said a major recommendation is to double the passenger restrictions for teen drivers. Currently, for the first three months after teens receive their licenses, they can only ride with their parents. In the subsequent three months, teens can only ride with their siblings. Ward said the proposal is to double both of those restrictions to six months.
He said the earliest a teen can get a license is 16 years and four months, so that means the earliest a teenager could drive with their friends is at 17 years old and four months, if the proposal is enacted. Ward said studies show this is the best way of making teen driving safer.
Rell said the task force has also recommended a one-year loss of license for any teenage driver convicted of a DUI.
Another proposal, which remains under debate and is not formally included in the task force’s recommendations, centers on allowing officers to seize teens’ licenses on the spot if they commit a violation such as speeding.
Ward said that, taken in their totality, the changes would make teen drivers safer on the roadways, but the key is support and enforcement from parents.
“These are the only ways to get their attention,” said Rell, while adding that she is committed to getting the changes enacted.
Motor vehicle accidents claimed 15 teen lives in 2007 and 14 in 2006. Ward added he hopes the legislature acts “as soon as possible,” and that he is willing to work with them.
“We cannot — we must not — lose any more young lives,” Rell said.
Amann said he agrees with Rell, and knows how important this issue is.
“It hit right in our backyard in Milford, and now it’s close to home in Orange,” Amann said. “If we can save one life, it’s worth the effort. I understand why the governor is anxious to do this.”