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Senate Bill 2678: Prohibit Parent-Directed Driver’s Education
Author:
Senator Victor D. Crist
Summary:
This bill requires that a minor complete an approved and specified driver education course, which does not include those taught by parents.
Compare H.B. 1299.
Status:
| 3/20/2008 |  | (Senate) Introduced, referred to Transportation; Community Affairs; Education Pre-K-12; and Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations Committees |
| 4/8/2008 | | (Senate) Transportation Committee reported favorably with 2 Amendments, 8-0 |
| 4/22/2008 | | (Senate) Community Affairs Committee reported favorably, 9-0 |
| 5/2/2008 | | (Senate) Session ended; bill died in Committee on Education Pre-K--12 |
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 has 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 |
Amendment 1 ( requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Amendment 2 ( requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
