More rules on teenage drivers

SPRINGFIELD -- Attention, 15-year-olds: It's about to get a lot harder to get a driver's license in Illinois.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed into law Monday a series of proposals creating stricter driving rules, including more on-the-road training, earlier driving curfews and longer permit times.

These and other new provisions take effect Jan. 1, so teens now enrolled in, or about to start driver's education likely won't be affected by some of the rules.

For instance, beginning in 2008, a driving permit -- the coveted "blue slip" -- will be issued for nine months rather than three. The idea is to give first-time drivers more behind-the-wheel experience with their parents during a greater variety of Illinois weather.

"Practice makes perfect and that's the same thing we want to apply here," said state Rep. John D'Amico, a Chicago Democrat and one of the chief sponsors. D'Amico, a football coach, likened the additional requirements to the practicing that makes student athletes better.

Once teens get licenses, the hours when they can drive will be reduced. The new law forces 16- and 17-year-old drivers to hand over the keys by 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on the weekend. That curfew is an hour earlier than in previous law. There are exemptions for work and school-related activities.

And calling "shotgun" may have newfound importance for teenagers.

During the first year with a license, a new driver can have only one, unrelated teenage passenger. Previously this restriction was for the first six months.

But in addition to doubling the time, the new law also calls for the driver and illegal passengers to be ticketed. If, for instance, a 16-year-old driver is caught with three teenage passengers, the driver and two of the three passengers could get tickets. Which passengers are ticketed is up to the police, but chances are it'll be those in the backseat.

"That would be the way I would do it, and I would guess that's how many other police would do it, too," said state Sen. John Millner, a Carol Stream Republican and former Elmhurst police chief. "It'll be frustrating for many 16-year-olds, but it'll save lives."

All told, the new teen driving laws will make Illinois among the toughest states for teenagers to get and stay licensed. Traffic safety experts predict the provision could reduce fatal crashes among 16-year-old drivers by 38 percent.