3 years ago
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Arkansas teens can expect more driving restrictions if a Crossett lawmaker gets his way. A bill to strengthen the state's graduated licensing laws passed a Senate committee Monday morning. The bill (See link below pictures.) would limit the driving hours and number of passengers for drivers under 18. It would also prohibit young drivers from using cell phones and other electronic devices while on the road. Sen. Jimmy Jeffress says it has the potential to save hundreds of lives every year.
It?s a rite of passage for teens, but getting a driver's license when you're too young or inexperienced can have deadly consequences. Sarah Bottoms says, "It?s your worst nightmare."
Bottoms knows first hand the dangers of teen driving.
"In October, I lost my daughter in a single car accident, rollover accident - wasn't wearing her seatbelt - don't know that she was talking on the cell phone but wouldn't surprise me."
Brittaney Allen was a senior at Springdale High School and her mother says not responsible enough to be behind the wheel.
Bottoms describes her daughter, "Typical 17-year-old, knew everything and was very invincible."
Addressing the Senate Committee on Transportation, Jeffress says, "We can save lives by closing up some of the current loop holes in our current graduated drivers licensing bill." Bottoms spoke Monday in support of Jeffress' graduated licensing bill. "I honestly believe that the graduated licensing is a proven counter measure," says Bottoms.
She?s sure her daughter would be here today if tougher teen driving laws had been in effect.
"I do know that some of the things would have helped," Bottoms says. In 2005, 125 people died on Arkansas roads in accidents involving teen drivers. Jeffress believes his bill would drastically reduce those numbers.
Jeffress explains, "We?re gonna, hopefully, put some nighttime driving restrictions where they have to be accompanied by an adult. We?re gonna prohibit them from using cellular devices and texting devices and also prevent or require them to use their seatbelt. ... I know that if we do this we can save lives."
For Bottoms, the law comes too late, but her hope now is that the changes might prevent other young drivers from becoming a statistic.
Bottoms says, "I would love to say that we will get this to the point where no other mother would have to get the same phone call I got."
Arkansas is one of nine states not in compliance with the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) recommendation for graduated licenses.
A representative from the NTSB out of Washington, D.C., also spoke in support of Jeffress bill. It now heads to the full Senate for a vote.
