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AAA considering expansion of North Dakota's graduated drivers' license law

North Dakota Triple-A is considering asking the 2017 Legislature to make a few more changes in the state’s graduated licensing law for teenage drivers.

Triple A’s Gene LaDoucer said teens are involved in a big share of car crashes. He says lawmakers did add some things to the drivers’ license law – such as allowing 14 year olds to have a learner’s permit for one year, and allowing 15 year olds to have a restricted license that limits passengers, and prohibits most driving between 9 pm and 5 am.

"Unfortunately, it did not apply to those 16 and over," LaDoucer said. "We have a significant problem with that age group, because they do not receive drivers' education."

LaDoucer said once someone reaches 16, drivers' ed is no longer required for licensure.

"We're basically leaving those teens and their parents without a lifeline," LaDoucer said. "We put them into a system that overlooks their needs."

LaDoucer said Triple A is looking at some options to propose – including extending graduated licensing until age 18, and requiring drivers’ ed for all teens.

"It's been proven to be effective across the country," LaDoucer said. "State after state reports at least a 50 percent reduction in teen driver fatalities."

LaDoucer said about two thirds of North Dakota teens don’t get licensed until after they turn 16 – so they’re missing out on necessary training.

"If they don't learn those vital skills, it puts them at risk, and it puts every other road user at risk," LaDoucer said.