House Bill 1299: Prohibit Parent-Directed Driver’s Education

Author:
Representative Ambler

Summary:
This bill requires that a minor complete an approved and specified driver education course, which does not include those taught by parents.

Status:

3/4/2008		(House) Introduced
3/7/2008		(House) Referred to Policy and Budget Council
3/10/2008		(House) Referred to Committee on Infrastructure by Economic Expansion & Infrastructure Council
3/10/2008		(House) Infrastructure Committee reported favorable passage, 10-0
5/2/2008		(House) Session ended; bill died

HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA is opposed to this bill.

Action Requested:
None requested at this time.

Background:
Parents have two choices for their children’s driver education: pay for their children to be taught how to drive at a commercial driving school by certified instructors, or try to persuade the local public schools to make room in their driver’s education courses.

Many states allow parents a third option: teach your own children how to drive. States for too long have restricted parents’ right to teach their children to drive.

In addition, statistics show parent-taught driver training saves lives. For example, compare the following facts:

According to insurance company statistics, out of every 100 teen drivers:

• 37 will be ticketed for speeding,
• 28 will be involved in accidents,
• 13 will be injured in an automobile accident,
• 4 will be ticketed for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and
• 1 will be killed in an automobile accident.

On the other hand, according to a University of Colorado-Colorado Springs survey, for every 100 students using a parent-taught driver education program (provided by the National Driver Training Institute of Colorado Springs):

• 8 were ticketed for speeding,
• 8 were involved in accidents,
• 6 were injured in automobile accidents,
• 1 was ticketed for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and there were NO fatalities.

This study and others demonstrate that parent-taught driver education produces safer drivers.

Other Resources

Bill Text

Bill History

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