By Carissa Beckwith
Proctor Journal

“You have got to be kidding me,” said one Proctor High School teenager when first told about two new laws that will come into effect on Aug. 1. Designed to help teens better develop their driving skills during their first year of licensure, these laws, if violated, will result in a misdemeanor.

“Teens are over-represented in traffic crashes and deaths each year on Minnesota roads,” said Walter Wobig, Proctor Police Chief. “In many cases, the reasons for the tragedies are preventable…but underlying each of these factors is simply inexperience behind the wheel.”

The first law will prohibit driving between the hours of midnight and 5 am for the first six months of licensure. “What about when we go to football games and stuff?” the teen demanded angrily. “Or when we don’t get off work until midnight or later?”

The exemptions to this law answer the teen’s questions. Driving to/from place of employment, to/from a school event for which the school has not provided transportation, and driving for employment purposes are all allowed.

“While a majority of teen crashes occur before or after school hours, national data shows that mile for mile, 16-and 17-year-olds are about three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash at night than during the day,” said Wobig.

The second law will limit passengers. For the first six months of licensure, only one passenger under age 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. For the second six months of licensure, no more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. An exemption from this law is if the passenger is a member of the immediate family.

“That’s stupid,” said a second teen, who prefers to remain anonymous. “People keep saying that we’re ruining the environment and all that because we use too much gas and now they won’t let us carpool?”

“There are many distractions a motorist faces or engages in behind the wheel—for teens, these distractions are amplified due to their driving immaturity,” said Wobig. “For instance, adding just one passenger increases the risk of death by 39% for 16 year-old drivers.”

Two other laws are already in effect that limit teenage driving.

The first makes it mandatory for all drivers and passengers under age 18 to wear a seatbelt or wear a child restraint at all times.

“I actually like that one,” the first teen said. “My seat belt’s saved me from getting hurt a few times.”

The second law makes it illegal for drivers of all ages to compose, read or send text messages or access the internet on a wireless device while on the road unless it is an emergency. Though already in effect, the two teenagers interviewed did not seem to know about this law.

The two teens made noises of disbelief. “Not happening,” said the first. “I’m still going to use my phone,” said the other. “I need it to get on Map Quest and find where I’m going.”

Though these laws seem strict to teens, they are actually less strict than most states. Currently, only a few states do not have any nighttime and passenger restrictions for beginning drivers, and other states have stronger restrictions than Minnesota’s.

“Traffic safety is a priority for the Proctor Police Department,” said Wobig. “Our officers don’t want to encounter the harsh realities and tragic scenes of a fatal crash, and that’s why we will work to ensure new teen drivers are following these guidelines.”

For more information, visit www.dps.state.mn.us/ots/teens.