Wednesday, December 26, 2001
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Wednesday, December 26, 2001 |
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New, tough teen driving laws start next week By JOHN
MUNFORD
Starting Jan. 1, there will be no excuses for newly licensed teenage drivers to cruise between midnight and 6 a.m. And all drivers under 21 should mind their traffic manners, since 12-month automatic license suspensions will be effective for any such driver who accumulates four or more "points" off their license status. That means a minimum of two tickets in one year could result in a one-year license suspension for drivers under 21. The new restrictions are courtesy of a new Georgia law taking effect Jan. 1. In any case in which a license suspension is involved, a court appearance is mandatory, said Steve Harris, Fayette County solicitor general. Previously, teens were allowed to drive during the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew period for work, school or religion-related reasons. The new laws create a graduated licensing system that puts restrictions on 16- and 17-year-old drivers, such as the tightened curfew and a new requirement for driver's education. To meet the driver's education requirement, drivers must take an approved driver education course and a total of at least 20 hours of supervised driving (with six of those coming at night). Instead of taking the course, the prospective driver can take at least 40 hours of supervised instruction, also with the requirement of at least six hours at night. Parents and legal guardians will be required to present sworn and signed affidavits to that effect before their children can be issued the intermediate "Class D" license. Upon turning 18, drivers may seek full "Class C" licenses as long as they haven't been convicted in the previous 12 months of DUI, eluding a police officer, drag racing, reckless driving, hit and run, or any other moving violation that would cause four points to be docked from the drivers' license status. Any of the above offenses are also grounds for an automatic license suspension of six months for the first offense and 12 months for the second offense. An automatic 12-month suspension is warranted for any DUI on a person under 21 when the blood alcohol concentration is .08 grams or higher. The state will continue to take teens' licenses away for six months (on a first conviction) and 12 months (on a second conviction) for: DUI (an automatic 12 months for the first offense for drivers under 18 with blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams or higher). Purchasing an alcoholic beverage. Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer. Racing, reckless driving, hit and run. Leaving the scene of an accident. Accruing four or more points in a 12-month period.
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