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2001 SESSION

010470872
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 691
Offered January 10, 2001
Prefiled January 10, 2001
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study graduated driver's licenses for minors.
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Patron-- O'Brien
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, teenage drivers in Virginia continue to be involved in more numerous and more serious motor vehicle crashes than any other age group; and

WHEREAS, much of this can be attributed to the relative immaturity and inexperience of youthful drivers; and

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the health and safety not only of youthful drivers, but of all drivers with whom youthful drivers share the highways that prompt, prudent, and effective action be taken to address this situation; and

WHEREAS, many other states have instituted a variety of programs, generally known as graduated, provisional, or junior driver's licenses for drivers less than 18 years old, limiting the hours each day during which they may legally drive, restricting the number of young people who may ride as passengers with a driver under 18, and otherwise providing young drivers a chance to gain increased experience and maturity before being granted full, unrestricted driving privileges; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the desirability and feasibility of providing for some form of graduated driver's license for minors in Virginia. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of 10 members as follows: six members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; and four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall consider, but need not limit its inquiry to, such elements as (i) establishing of a minimum number of miles of "behind the wheel" driving and (ii) requiring a parent or legal guardian to certify as to a minimum number of hours or days during which his child or ward has driven a motor vehicle under the parent's or guardian's direct supervision as prerequisites for receipt of a full, unrestricted license. The joint subcommittee shall also determine whether an office of driver's education should be established within the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $12,500.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2002 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.