Senator Runner’s Legislation Adds Important Safety Measures to Increase the Safety of Teen Drivers

Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) introduced legislation that will add vital new safety measures to improve the current teen safety driving laws. 

“We have made important improvements to our teen driving laws in recent years which have proven to increase the safety of our roads.  This bill provides needed tools to better enforce the teen driver laws which will save more of our teens’ lives,” said Runner.

The leading cause of death between youths and young adults between the ages of 16-24 involve car accidents according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  A teen driver is also twice as likely to be involved in a fatal collision with the addition of just one teen in the car.  The likelihood increases five times with the addition of two or more teen passengers.

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 and will do the following:

• Allow law enforcement to enforce the current teen driver laws that do not allow teens out at night with other teens in the car.  Currently, law enforcement can not pull a car filled with teens over unless there is another violation like running a red light. 
• Traffic violations committed by teen drivers will now appear on their driving record.  This sends a strong message about the importance of driver safety.  Currently, traffic violations are not recorded on teens’ driving records. 

SB 285 will be heard in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee in the next several weeks.