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More Accountability in Place for Teen Drivers and Parents
March 1, 2006 NASHVILLE, Tenn., --- The Tennessee Department of Safety announced today new rules regarding accountability and teen drivers. The new regulations, called Hayden's Rule, go into affect today and require teen drivers who accumulate too many points on their driving records to attend a driver improvement hearing with a parent or legal guardian and face suspension of driving privileges. "Too many teens are taking too many risks on our roadways," stated Governor Phil Bredesen. "Seventy-one teens died in traffic crashes in 2005, and many of those deaths could have been avoided. I hope the new criteria in Hayden's Rule will encourage young drivers to think seriously about their actions when they're behind the wheel of a vehicle. It could save not only their lives, but also the lives of other motorists." Hayden's Rule is named in honor of Hayden Maples, who was born premature by emergency C-section in February 2003 after a traffic crash involving her mother and a teen driver who had accumulated 18 points on his driving record. The teen driver crossed a double yellow line to pass a vehicle and hit Hayden's mom, Robin, head on. He died in the crash. Robin recovered from her injuries, but both she and Hayden will suffer the effects of the crash for the rest of their lives. Chris Maples, Hayden's father, says Hayden's Rule is very important to his family. "The whole purpose is to help prevent injuries and save lives on our roadways. I'm looking forward to Hayden's Rule leading the nation as an example of what we can do to protect our children." "Teens need to realize driving is serious business," stated Interim Department of Safety Commissioner Gerald Nicely. "If teen drivers choose to act foolishly and abuse the privilege of driving, that privilege can and will be taken away." According to the new rules, drivers under 18 years of age who accumulate three (3) points on their driving records within a year will be placed in the Driver Improvement Program. As a result, the teen driver and a parent or legal guardian will be required to attend a mandatory driver improvement hearing to discuss the infractions. They will be required to attend an eight-hour defensive driving course. These drivers could also face license suspension based on the severity of the infraction. Teen drivers who accumulate seven (7) or more points within a twelve month period will be placed in the Driver Improvement Program, and lose driving privileges for six months. They will also be required, along with a parent or legal guardian, to attend a mandatory driver improvement hearing to discuss the infractions. And, they will be required to attend an eight-hour defensive driving course. After serving the suspension time, these drivers will be required to pay the reinstatement fee and file proof of Financial Responsibility (SR-22) coverage, which is higher priced insurance. Funds from the Tennessee Governor's Highway Safety Office will be used to help educate teens and their parents on the new regulations and will also aid in enforcement of the program. The Tennessee Department of Safety (www.tennessee.gov/safety) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public. The department's general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses and title and registration activities. The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways. |
