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Senate debate centers on graduated‑licensing bill as sponsors seek tighter teen driving rules
Summary
Senators debated substitute Senate Bill 12, a graduated‑driver licensing proposal that would delay a full provisional license until 16 years, 3 months, require a 30‑hour supervised practice period and restrict late‑night and nonfamily passengers. Lawmakers exchanged data, enforcement and rural‑access concerns; the bill was advanced to third reading for a final vote.
Senator Howlett, sponsor of substitute Senate Bill 12, told colleagues the bill is aimed at reducing teen driving fatalities by lengthening supervised practice time and imposing passenger and nighttime restrictions. “A hundred and 12 fatalities in vehicles driven by 15 to 17 year old drivers in Utah from ’92 to ’96,” the sponsor said, citing task‑force statistics and national safety testimony in support of the measure.
Supporters framed the bill as a safety policy grounded in national evidence. The sponsor said the measure issues a practice permit at 15 years, 9 months and a provisional (full) license at 16 years, 3 months, requires 30 hours behind the wheel with a licensed adult and forbids young drivers under 16½ from carrying nonfamily passengers. "We…
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