Maine’s Young Driver Safety Initiative
becomes law
By Charles Summers Jr.
As many of you are aware, the Maine Legislature passed a bill to encourage responsible driving by young adults. I am extremely pleased at the bipartisan effort that went into making this bill a success.
At the end of last year, I began a review of Maine’s driver education curriculum with an eye towards updating and modernizing its content and delivery. I held “Conversations With the Communities” across the state from Kennebunk to Caribou soliciting recommendations from parents, students, teachers and any concerned members of the community addressing those areas of the curriculum that most needed enhancement. Sadly, around this time, Maine began to see a surge in deaths related to young drivers; so when I held my first “Conversation” the discussion became about not only improvements to the driver education program but about keeping Maine’s roads safe. As these “Conversations With the Communities” continued, Maine’s fatality rate began rising steadily (20 deaths between Christmas and today). The consensus among community members was that there needed to be much stiffer penalties for newly licensed drivers who have shown irresponsibility behind the wheel. This began a two-step process for me as Secretary of State. While updating driver education can be done with rule-making, enhancing penalties for newly licensed drivers required action by the Legislature. Based on the information I had gathered from the public, I reported my recommendations to the Transportation Committee and offered a proposal to encourage responsible teen driving.
Sen. Bill Diamond of Windham offered to sponsor a bill based on these recommendations. The bill, LD1912 passed with overwhelming support in both the House and Senate. The following laws will become effective 90 days after the 125th Legislature adjourns:
• When a young driver initially gets their license, the intermediate license restrictions (no passengers except immediate family members; no driving between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.; no cell phone use) are extended from six months to nine months;
• A fine of no less than $250 and no more than $500 will be assessed for a violation of these restrictions;
• During the first two years that a young driver holds their driver’s license, if they have any violation, the following will apply before they can restore their driving privileges: 30-day license suspension for a first offense; 180-day license suspension for a second offense; 1-year license suspension for a third or subsequent offense; must complete a driver improvement course; must pay a $50 reinstatement fee.
During the first two years that a young driver holds their driver’s license, if they commit a major offense (such as criminal speed, operating under the influence, operating after suspension, etc.) the following will apply before they can restore their driving privileges in addition to any current requirements that may be mandatory based on the specific conviction:
• License suspension will be based on current law or the new suspension periods as listed above – whichever is longer;
• Required to complete a driver improvement course;
• Required to complete up to 60 hours of community service;
• Must successfully complete a driving examination (written and road);
• must pay a $200 reinstatement fee.
This new law also increases the minimum fine for Texting and Driving from $100 to $250 for all drivers.
I am sincerely thankful for the support of not only Sen. Diamond who sponsored LD 1912, but for the co-sponsors which include Rep. Rich Cebra of Naples, Sen. Ron Collins of York, Sen. Barry Hobbins of York, Senate President Kevin Raye of Washington, Rep. Emily Cain of Orono, Rep. Ed Mazurek of Rockland, Speaker of the House Bob Nutting of Oakland, Rep. Ann Peoples of Westbrook, and Rep. Alex Willette of Mapleton. Their willingness to take immediate action on this important and timely issue is a huge accomplishment as we head into the 2012 prom and graduation season where young drivers traditionally experience eight of the 10 deadliest days of the year for young drivers.
Charles E. Summers, Jr. is Maine’s secretary of state.
