Graduated driver's licenses

Classes were let out early Tuesday afternoon at Skiatook High School, so students and faculty could attend the memorial service for 17-year-old Jeremy Ervin. <br/><br/>Ervin and seven other teenagers

Tuesday, May 10th 2005, 10:12 am

By: News On 6

Classes were let out early Tuesday afternoon at Skiatook High School, so students and faculty could attend the memorial service for 17-year-old Jeremy Ervin.

Ervin and seven other teenagers were in a rollover accident on April 21st. Ervin died over the weekend. State lawmakers are considering a measure that might prevent tragedies like the one in Skiatook.

State House Bill 1653 is a big favorite among adults, but young drivers have some problems with it.News on Six Anchor Tami Marler explains.

Broken Arrow middle schoolers are gearing up for one of life's biggest milestones. Who doesn't remember the buildup to getting your drivers' license? Student Cali Campbell: "I was really excited. The only thing I wasn't excited about was having to drive with a parent at night."

Just one of the many rules Mick Lunt teaches in Drivers Ed, a class that could get a little more involved if state legislators pass a new law that requires graduated licensing. "A number of other states have put many more restrictions in their graduated drivers licensing and their accident rate in teenagers have gone down a bunch and it's proven to work, and we need more teeth in ours."

Under state House Bill 1653, young drivers who've completed driver education classes would receive a six-month probationary license. During that time, they wouldn't be allowed to drive during overnight hours, unless they're going to- and from- work, school, school activities or church activities. They can only carry one passenger. After the six months, provided they have no driving-related offenses and they've spent at least 40 hours behind the wheel, they can apply for an unrestricted license.

Back when the original laws were passed, drivers could cut their teeth on country roads where there wasn't much congestion. Now roads look more like an expressway and there are a lot of distractions for young drivers. Mick Lund: "There's nothing worse than getting a half-dozen kids in the car together, because they're telling him everything he needs to do except what he really needs to do. Adjust the radio, I can't stand that song. And for a young person they need to be tuning in and concentrating on going down the road."

Cali Campbell: "I just thought everybody was making a bigger deal than it really was. But now that I have my license I'm like paranoid about everything and it's a really big deal. A really big responsibility."