Comments about ‘National graduated driver's license bill not popular in Utah’

I fully support this bill! Sorry if it puts a kink in your dating lives, kids, but you won't go on many dates at all if your dead or in the hospital.

The facts are black and white: Teenage drivers as a whole are the most dangerous drivers on the road. It's criminal that a graduated bill hasn't been passed before. It makes sense in that it allows teens to drive, just not in the most dangerous situations (at night, carrying other passengers, etc.) until they have acquired greater expertise and maturity.

I agree with the bill, but this is a state issue, just like speed limits. Let the Utah legislature take care of this one.

It might be a good idea or concept but once again the Fed is running over the State and that trend is not good. One less thing left in the domain of the state...

I don't agree with this bill. Raising the driving age will just young adults more prone to accidents. There's a learning curve and raising the age isn't going to stop it. So this bill isn't going to make the roads safer, it will just make people go through their growing pains at a older age. Plus taking responsibility from our teens will just make them less responsible and more prone to do stupid things. I've seen it in Europe where they have higher driving ages. We should instead think of ways to help teens be better and more responsible.

I hate this bill. The Federal Government needs to stick to doing their jobs and staying out of the states business. If it was up to the fed, we should probably just abolish all states rights and let Congress and the President run everything.

Work on the economy you idiots and getting us out of these wars!

Utah as it is, a Dictatorship like Cuba.

I really don't like it becoming a federal law because of the privacy issue of licensing. States have known for many years that 16 year olds are not responsible or well trained drivers to warrant releasing them to the dangers of driving yet have failed to respond as responsible community leaders.

No 16 year old is ready to drive on their own right out of drivers training. They need a learning period to learn to drive, road etiquette, and their responsibility as vehicle drivers. They are putting lives at stake when they drive a vehicle and being underage they lack and accountability of their actions. Regardless of age, all drivers should have the same accountability.

Supervised driving on a learners permit has always been the safest drivers and least problematic. These young drivers need to learn that life doesn't start at 16 and dates, jobs, athletics, etc are not cause for driving privileges. Most important is learning how to drive safely, the life it saves may be mine.

The age of 18 sounds reasonable as that is the age of accountability for your actions. The rules have changed and it time driving privilege laws change.

I love the idea, but agree, states need to be picking this up, not the federal government. There is no need for this to be a fed issue.

Too many times you see teens pack into their buddies car after school and take off in the new party machine. Limiting the number of passengers, times when they can drive, and cell phone usage only helps them step into more accountable driving.

It will also lead to lower insurance rates as well. So Utah Capital Hill, make your own policies so the feds don't think they need to do it for you.

States rights versus Federal encroachment. This bill is bad legislation and removes power from the states. Vote no.

18 is a great age to start driving. 14 isn't, and neither is 15 or 16. Sorry, been a part of too many teenage driver funerals and hospital visits. The maturity difference between 18 and 15 is massive. The argument that it is not a federal issue can in fact be countered by the fact that states have to allow someone from a another state with a legal license to drive in their state... that means it's interstate to a degree and could be federally regulated. (I got my DL in Idaho at 14, 39 years ago and still feel this way after living in ID, UT, OH, AL and TX)

This is an intetesting issue. No way, should the federal government be taking this on.

Suppose that the State wanted to pass similar legislation. I work with teenagers in my ward. It seems that they are not nearly as grown up as I was at 16. Is it possible that society has allowed kids to stay immature for longer? I mean I know I wasn't as grown up at 16 as my parents were. My dad had already spent many summers bailing hay and picking cherries, etc.
I feel for the kids though, by 16, I was involved in several extra-curricular activities that would have never been possible to participate in since my parents both worked and I lived 10 miles from my high school.

Larry,

did you miss the part of the article where it says it's a proposed FEDERAL law, not a Utah state law?

Or are you just a hater?

Every time Mr. Bishop opens his mouth, I cringe. I never know what gems of wisdom he will be letting loose next.

On the way to work this morning I saw a guy riding a motorcycle with no helmet. In Utah it seems that anything that might reduce medical expenses is derided. The primary reason the feds have to pass this type of legislation is that states like Utah refuse. "We needs us some guns and freedom, but we don't need no sense of responsibility."

Also on the way to work today, I noticed that all the traffic safety signs had been shot up. "Our kids need their license at 10 so they can use their second amendment rights to have guns and shoot anything that moves."

I agree that the feds shouldn't have to make laws like this, but look around. Personal responsibility sure aint on the agenda in Utah.

Having rode with both my teenage brother, and my elderly grandparents, there's no question which of those groups is the worst drivers.

No matter when you begin driving, you'll have to learn as you go. 16, 17, 18, makes no difference. Those first couple years are full of new situations that you have to experience. That is unavoidable.

I do agree that this is a state issue.

Not a bad idea. Dead 24-7 does not allow much dating.
I used to date during the day. Went on picnics, horse back riding, fishing, etc. Not much good happens after 11:00 PM anyway.

This is not the purview of the federal government.

I know many kids who waited until they were 18 or older to get a license. It did not hurt their social life.

My daughters (I only have six of them) have no problem with my wife and I being around when they have friends over or a party. If you're not planning on making out and the parents let the kids be kids, there is not a problem.

I disagree with this bill; however I do think some things need to change. I have 3 pre-teen daughters and I think teaching them, not allowing cell phones use, having good grades, is a better direction to take this. If they want to drive badly enough they will do whatever it takes to EARN that privilege. I don’t believe just because your 16 you should just be handed a set of key. We should require them to keep a good GPA, have longer driver’s education courses & not allow the use of cell phones in the car. Teach them instead of stripping them of being responsible. They need to be independent- it’s an important part of growing up.

Livestrong... you are right on with your comments. I agree completely that while teens might be inconvenienced, it is truly a small compromise for the safety of youth drivers and others on the road.

I agree that such a law is long overdue, but also agree that this is a matter for states to legislate.

There are some who argue that learning to drive is simply a matter of experience. That is a factor, but perhaps more important is brain development. The frontal lobe is the center for making sound judgement -- assessment of risk, etc. On average, most humans frontal lobes are not fully developed until age 35. The difference between 16 and 18 year old brain development, however, is substantial enough to make a significant difference when making split second judgements behind the wheel of a car.

I also favor this law not just because it will save lives, but also because it will save money. Burying somebody doesn't cost much. Paying for years of medical bills and for endless litigation does. By eliminating the highest risk factor age for driving accidents, this bill ultimately should lower my insurance premiums.

Personally, I'm supportive of the age 18 drivers license law, but Congress has no authority to do it, it's blatantly unconstitutional. This is strictly a state matter. Write your senator and congressman and tell them to start living by the constitution, read the 10th amendment, and stop grabbing state authority.

Please, Feds, save us from ourselves! We the states are too ignorant and stupid to pass our own laws!