The Maryland House of Delegates yesterday approved bills that would increase restrictions on, and require more training for, novice teenage drivers. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) has said he supports the measures, but several small differences between House and Senate versions will have to be ironed out before the bills reach his desk.
The House measures would:
• Prohibit teenage drivers with provisional licenses from carrying teenage passengers during the first five months of the 18-month provisional period. Family members are exempted from the prohibition. Violation would be a "secondary offense," meaning police could cite teenage drivers for it only if they had been pulled over for another traffic violation, such as speeding.
• Prohibit teenage drivers with provisional licenses from using a cell phone while driving, except in emergencies. "Emergency" is defined as something requiring a 911 call. The cell phone ban would, like the passenger restriction, be a secondary offense.
• Extend the period a young driver must hold a learner's permit from four to five months.
• Require teenagers with provisional licenses to restart the 18-month provisional period if convicted of driving without a seat belt or violating Maryland's midnight curfew for young drivers.
• Increase the number of practice driving hours required with instructional permits from 40 to 60.
