Most Teen Driver Bills Fail to Advance
Only 1 Proposal Passes Md. Assembly; Legislators Plan to Revisit Issue in 2009
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Saturday, April 12, 2008; Page B01
A number of lawmakers arrived in Annapolis three months ago with the political will to make Maryland's teenage driving laws among the nation's strictest after more than a dozen young people died in car accidents in the Washington suburbs last fall.
A powerful Montgomery County senator wanted licenses suspended for teens who commit serious offenses. The administration of Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) wanted to change the nighttime curfew for 16-year-olds to 10 p.m. from midnight. A Prince George's County delegate wanted to require young drivers to pass drug and alcohol tests before receiving a driver's license.
But when the General Assembly adjourned this week, the only teen driving proposal to pass during the legislative session was a requirement that the Motor Vehicle Administration notify the parents or guardians of any teenager who receives a citation for a moving violation, such as speeding.
So what happened to the other proposals?
They died.
Some legislators voiced concerns that teen driving rules are the province of parents, not politicians. Others said lawmakers needed more time to study the implications of stricter restrictions. Ultimately, however, the measures never became a top priority for legislative leaders, who were consumed with matters they considered more pressing, such as mortgage practice revisions, criminal justice measures and environmental initiatives.
"It's not merely disappointing that the bills failed this year, but they endanger lives," said Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D), the Montgomery lawmaker who introduced the bill to suspend licenses. "Inexperienced drivers are not just a danger to themselves, but they're a danger to everybody else on the road."
The General Assembly plans to study driving laws for young people over the interim and revisit the proposals in 2009.
"Just because the bills didn't pass doesn't mean the issue will go away. We'll be back again," said Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D), whose Charles County district was home to some of the deadliest teen accidents last year.
Middleton was the author of the parental notification bill, which passed overwhelmingly.
"Most parents want to be good parents, but they don't know that their kids are driving recklessly and getting tickets," he said.
Del. William A. Bronrott (D-Montgomery), who has long sought tougher driving laws, said, "Maryland's good teen driving laws could be better."
