Assembly passes Frazier bill to enhance teen driver safety
AB 1113 Will Help Prevent Future Automobile Accidents, Injuries and Fatalities
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Assembly gave final approval to Assembly Bill 1113, introduced by Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D–Oakley), which will add restrictions on California’s provisional licensing law.
The provisional licensing program was designed to protect young, inexperienced drivers by giving them more time to gain driving experience prior to full licensure. The program has been effective in reducing novice driver accidents, deaths, and injuries; however, a significant safety problem still remains for teenage drivers.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. Teen drivers have the highest rate of involvement in crashes that result in the death of other people, such as their passengers, pedestrians, or drivers and passengers in other vehicles. “I am all about saving lives and this will establish better safety practices for inexperienced teen drivers, helping to prevent unnecessary motor vehicle fatalities throughout California,” said Frazier.
AB 1113 seeks to strengthen California’s provisional licensing law by requiring that the provisional driver’s license remain in effect until an individual reaches the age of 18, lowers the current nighttime driving restriction from 11:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., modifies the age restriction on the transporting of passengers from 20 years of age to 21 years of age, and increases the 6-month learner permit requirement to 9-months.
The bill passed with bipartisan support and now proceeds to the Senate for further consideration.
For more information or to RSVP, please visit www.asmdc.org/members/a11/ or call Jim’s district offices at 707-399-3011 or 925-778-5790.