Editorial: Logging the time teens spend driving will lead to safer driving, Winston-Salem Journal

February 2012

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Editorial: Logging the time teens spend driving will lead to safer driving, Winston-Salem Journal (02.20.2012)

The new law requiring teens to keep logs while learning to drive takes our state down the right road.

Last year the N.C. General Assembly passed the law, which requires new drivers under 18 with learner’s permits to log 60 hours behind the wheel under the supervision of a parent or an experienced driver. The law took effect Jan. 1. Ten hours a week count toward the total — though more would certainly be wise.

The time is documented and presented to the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles when applying for a limited provisional driver’s license. After that, an additional 12 hours are required, including six hours at night.

State Sen. Peter Brunstetter, R-Forsyth, told the Journal’s John Hinton that officials with the Division of Motor Vehicles recommended last year that legislators approve the law.

“Many kids weren’t getting actual driving time after their driver’s ed training,” Brunstetter said. “The law is designed to get parents and guardians involved with their children’s driving.”

Driving is a serious undertaking; accidents are extremely consequential and can lead to injury and death. Anyone learning how to drive can be overwhelmed by traffic and other fast-moving stimulus. The only way to become a safe driver, confident and alert, is through experience, but guided practice is essential before drivers go out on their own.

Teenagers especially — some driver’s ed students are as young as 14 — tend to overestimate their driving skill; the more experience they can gain, the better. This new law ensures at least a reasonable minimum.

Keeping the log will require some effort and cooperation from parents. It may be a headache at times, but if it saves lives and reduces injuries, it will be well worth it.

Critics say that parents won’t take the logging requirement seriously, but we think they will, and that they will spend at least as much time as is required on the road with their children — especially if the teens will wind up driving the family car. It only makes sense.

Here in the Triad, we’ve seen our share of tragedy with regard to teen drivers. They need two important qualities: experience and judgment. The former will, in most cases, lead to the latter.