New driving restrictions in place to keep Ohio teen drivers safe
Investigators say new rules will be enforced if officer has probable cause to stop car, like a violation
New driving restrictions taking effect Wednesday are designed to help parents keep new teen drivers safe.
Teenagers will have to have more experience before they hop in the car with friends or drive late at night.
Rachel Blumberg, 15, is learning how to drive, and the new restrictions will go into effect when she turns 16 in two weeks.
“There's a lot of texting and driving going and there's a lot of social media being used but I would say one of the biggest distractions is the radio being turned up all the way and dancing and singing going on,” Blumberg said. “So I think if its cut down to one or more people, it'll be a more safer way to go about it.”
Officials said drivers with less experience need more focus on the road.
As of July 1, any driver under 18 can only have one non-family member in the car during the first year they have a license.
“The No. 1 way teenagers die is car crashes,” the owner of Jeff’s Driving School, Jeff Tussey, said. “It's a good thing because now the students are going to have more experience before parents turn them loose.”
New teen drivers also won't be allowed to drive between midnight and 6 a.m.
The exception is if parents or guardians are in the car, or if you have a valid documented excuse for work school or church.
WLWT News 5 caught up with parents at the BMV. They admit it is tougher to drive kids around while balancing work and school activities, but safety is the most important factor.
“You drive them everywhere anyway, so it just continues that longer to help ensure some safety,” parent Tara Zellner said.
Investigators said the new rules will be enforced if an officer has other probable cause to stop a car, like a violation.
“One of my friends drives a truck and he's a little reckless and it benefits him and people like him especially to only have one person in the car for distractions,” said Drew Moran who was renewing his permit.
As usual, officials said, everyone under 18 must wear their seat belt and no cellphone use behind the wheel is allowed.
Before the new rules, restrictions were different if you were 16 and 17, but now officials said this clarifies things for everyone under 18.