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South Dakota’s young teens could wind up spending more time behind the wheel before driving on their own if an activist group gets its way in changing a 12-year-old licensing law.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths in South Dakota, but it’s not only an age issue, it’s inexperience that causes accidents, members of Safe and Sound South Dakota Coalition for Graduated Driver Licensing said this week.

South Dakota’s graduated licensing program is a three-stage approach that guides young drivers as they obtain full license privileges.

AAA South Dakota spokesman Mark Madeja said the coalition hopes to save lives by strengthening those requirements, which have not been tweaked since the program was implemented in 1999.

“It hasn’t evolved. It hasn’t kept up with the statistics we’re seeing,” Madeja said. “Risk lessens as teens gain more experience behind the wheel.”

The coalition conducted a statewide parent survey this summer to gauge support for changing the program and hopes to release the new data before Thanksgiving, said Melissa Paulik of State Farm Insurance.

Paulik said the goal is to start a dialogue now and introduce well-rounded legislation this year or next.

“We’re focusing on GDL because we think it could save a lot of lives and prevent a lot of injuries if we actually did make these few small tweaks to this program, nothing earth-shattering,” Paulik said.

The current graduated driver’s licensing program includes:

  • Instruction permit at age 14 that requires parental supervision. Teens hold the instruction permit for six months – three months if they pass driver’s education.

  • Restricted minor’s permit includes a nighttime restriction that requires parental supervision from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

  • Operator’s license at age 16, no restrictions.

    The coalition hopes to:

  • Lengthen the instruction

    Article source: http://feeds.stateline.org/~r/StatelineorgRss-Transportation/~3/hI25de07Rxs/Putting-brakes-teen-drivers