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

Bill Text

Amendment 1 ( requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Amendment 2 ( requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Bill History