RUMFORD — A series of new laws aimed at encouraging responsible driving, especially by young adults, goes into effect Aug. 30, Rumford police Chief Stacy Carter said Wednesday in a news release.
He said the Maine Chiefs of Police Association recently voted to support a "strong stance" when it comes to enforcing LD 1912.
It includes the following laws:
* When a young driver obtains a new license, current intermediate license restrictions (no passengers except immediate family members; no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.; no cellphone use) are extended from six months to nine months.
* A fine of no less than $250 and no more than $500 will be assessed for a violation of any of the above listed intermediate license restrictions.
* During the first two years a young driver holds a license, any violations obtained will result in the following occurring before driving privileges will be restored: 30-day license suspension for first offense; 180-day license suspension for second offense; one-year license suspension for third and subsequent offenses; must complete a driver improvement course; and must pay a $50 reinstatement fee.
* During the first two years a young driver holds a license, any committed major offense (criminal speed, operating under the influence, operating after suspension) will result in the following before driving privileges will be restored (in addition to any current requirements that may be mandatory based on the specific conviction):
* License suspension will be based on current law or the new suspension periods as listed above, whichever is longer.
* Must complete a driver improvement course.
* Must complete up to 60 hours of community service.
* Must successfully complete a driving examination (both written and road).
* Must pay a $200 reinstatement fee.
Additionally, LD 1912 increases the minimum fine for texting and driving from $100 to $250 for all drivers.
Chief Carter said Wednesday afternoon that the Maine Chiefs of Police is taking a strong stance on the new drivers' laws that have come out "to try to keep the younger generation safe and driving appropriately.
"They are really emphasizing that these new laws are the result of tragedies that have happened," he said. "There's been a lot of young drivers killed."
According to the news release, Maine State Police say since Christmas 2011 there have been 27 deaths attributed to young drivers ages 15-24 on Maine highways.
Carter said the laws were all enhanced "to try and keep these new drivers safe and to put some teeth into the law."
He said the Maine Chiefs of Police Association hopes that strict enforcement of LD 1912 will foster compliance, which will in turn help reduce crashes, injuries and deaths.
His officers are experiencing reports of drivers continuing to text and drive, he said.
"I think that we hear more reports about it than by actually seeing it, but we know that there's still a lot of young drivers that are texting," he said. "We have found some, but we haven't found a lot. We can't be everywhere."
Carter said adults should also become familiar with the new changes.
"Texting and driving isn't just young people that are at risk from it," he said.
The Maine Chiefs of Police Association has encouraged law enforcement agencies across the state to get the word out to save lives by gaining voluntary compliance.
The association also urges parents to encourage and enforce young driver compliance to keep them safe.
Report a correction
How about....
If a person under the age of 21 is convicted of any alcohol related offense, their license is revoked and they are ineligible to re-apply for a new one until they are 21 years of age (no exceptions). Also, subsequent contact with alcohol before the age 21 results in an additional 5 years (per occurrence) added to the age at which they can apply.
Now THAT would be a law with some REAL teeth!
Oh, by the way... how about an automatic 5 year revocation for anyone convicted of OUI, with the same terms? If you want to keep the streets safe, do something about it. Unfortunately, our state legislature is too spineless to stand up to the alcohol lobby.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (1)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.An Intermediate License is good, but...
The Intermediate License Program is a good program, I just wish it would have more of an affect on young drivers.
Young drivers between sixteen and eighteen, have absolutely no fear. Its not their fault, it is the result of the incomplete formation of some part of the brain. They simply aren't old enough yet. Thats what I was told anyway, I guess they thought it would dull the pain of ripping a car apart with my wrecker to get to a young girl's body, trapped in a mangled car on prom night. Well, it didn't help much, I was still in high school myself, sometimes these kids were friends of mine. What really bothered me was the reaction of the other kids. Many of them were there watching. I would hear them talking in school the next day, they were shocked, but not afraid. That would never happen to me was the attitude.
I know I sound like one of those cheesy drivers ed movies, but I did drive a wrecker while still in high school. This was in the late seventies, the " jaws of life ", weren't widely used yet, when someone was trapped in a car a wrecker was the tool to use.
What I'm saying is just as true now as it was then, kids need to be forced to face reality, some adults too for that matter. They are NOT invincible. They break just as easily as the next guy. Trust me, I've had to deal with the broken parts.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.An Intermediate License is good, but...
The Intermediate License Program is a good program, I just wish it would have more of an affect on young drivers.
Young drivers between sixteen and eighteen, have absolutely no fear. Its not their fault, it is the result of the incomplete formation of some part of the brain. They simply aren't old enough yet. Thats what I was told anyway, I guess they thought it would dull the pain of ripping a car apart with my wrecker to get to a young girl's body, trapped in a mangled car on prom night. Well, it didn't help much, I was still in High school myself, sometimes these kids were friends of mine. What really bothered me was the reaction of the other kids. Many of them were there watching. I would hear them talking in school the next day, they were shocked, but not afraid. That would never happen to me was the attitude.
I know I sound like one of those cheesy drivers ed movies, but I did drive a wrecker while still in high school. This was in the late seventies, the " jaws of life ", weren't widely used yet, when someone was trapped in a car a wrecker was the tool to use.
What I'm saying is just as true now as it was then, kids need to be forced to face reality, some adults too for that matter. They are NOT invincible. They break just as easily as the next guy. Trust me, I've had to deal with the broken parts.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Notice to new young drivers:
Notice to new young drivers: Get pulled over and you had better use your best manners with the officer because a ticket for ANYTHING will result in a 30 day suspension.........forgot your turn signal? ticket......creep through a stop sign? ticket......5mph speeding? ticket........BUT these minor offenses can be negated with the use of basic manners and respect.
- Permalink
- Is this comment inappropriate?
Kudos AwardedAgree (2)
Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.