Senator Runner’s Legislation Adds Important Safety Measures for Teen Drivers.

Senator George Runner’s (R-Antelope Valley) legislation to add vital new safety measures that will improve the current teen safety driving laws recently passed the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. 

“This legislation will enact common sense reforms that will improve our current teen driver laws and help make our roads safer for our families,” said Runner.

Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten said, “Teenage driving fatalities eclipse any other cause of death for teenagers in America, but with SB 285, it doesn't have to be that way in California.”

Senate Bill 285 is sponsored by the California District Attorneys’ Association.  The legislation will make three important changes to law. 

Requires teens with a learner’s permit to drive with an adult 25 years or older.  Under current law, a learner’s permit holder may be supervised by a licensed passenger aged 18 or over.  However, when the teen receives a provisional driver’s license, the licensee must be supervised by a passenger aged 25 and older for the first year.  Learners permit holders should not have less stringent conditions than licensed drivers.  This legislation will address this inconsistency.

Traffic violations committed by teen drivers will now appear on their driving record.  Under current law, a provisional licensee’s traffic violations will not lead to a point count on the driver’s record.  This bill will amend that provision and make a traffic violation count on drivers’ permanent record regardless of whether the driver has a provisional or regular drivers’ license. Teens need to know that driving safely is important and while careless or reckless driving has consequences.

Increases accountability of parents and teen drivers.  This bill will strengthen current law by requiring accountability of parents who intentionally allow their children to violate the state’s laws.         

SB 285 passed Senate Transportation and Housing Committee with a 7-3 vote and will be heard in Senate Appropriations Committee over the next few weeks.