Arizona is behind the curve on this, most other states have already done something similar years ago. Arizona’s previous graduated driver’s license was had no teeth.
According to AAA AZ, who supported the legislation: “Arizona is 1 of only 5 states that does not provide either nighttime driving restrictions or passenger limitations for new teenage drivers”, and “Studies of intermediate driving programs in individual states have reported reduction in fatal crash rates of novice drivers that ranged from 11% to 32%”
Chapter 206 HB2033 (48th legislature, 1st regular session, 2007 LAST YEAR, why did it take over a year to become effective??) Arizona’s Teenage Driver Safety Act goes into effect July 1. Here are its key points:
- Establishes Graduated Driver License, where licensed drivers, ages 16-17, do not have full driving privileges until six months after licensing.
- Increases supervised training requirement from 25 to 30 hours, of which 10 must be at night.
- Prohibits driving from midnight to 5 a.m., for the first six months, with exemptions for job, religious or school activities or family emergencies.
- Limits number of non-family teenage passengers to one, during first six months.
- Establishes fines and extensions of restrictions for non-compliance.
— Trauma nurse has message for teen drivers, AZ Republic, June 2, 2008
I’m thinking a year would have been a more reasonable time restriction.
AAA Arizona has a big transportation legislation roundup here.