MINNEAPOLIS, March 19, 2008 – Driver safety bills supported by the MMA still have a chance of passing this session.

The MMA supports a bill (H.F.2628) that would strengthen Minnesota’s existing Graduated Drivers License law by restricting what a novice driver, those younger than 18 years old, can do during the first six months after they receive their license.

The bill says novice drives would only be allowed to have one other person under age 20 years in the car. Novice drivers would also be prohibited from driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. and talking on cell phones, during their first six months behind the wheel.

More youth are killed in car crashes than the next four causes of death combined, according to the 2005 Minnesota Department of Safety Crash Safety Report. As of Wednesday, the bill had passed necessary House committees and was included in the Senate Transportation Omnibus Policy bill.

Also included in the Senate Transportation Omnibus Policy Bill were other driver safety provisions that still have a chance of becoming law such as one that would make not wearing a seat belt a primary offense and another that would require booster seats.

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death of children in Minnesota.

Currently Minnesota only requires a child restraint system for children less than 4 years old.  The updated booster seat law would increase that age to eight years as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Administration. Seat belts do not provide sufficient protection for children eight years old and younger.