While no law can prevent all accidents, tougher license requirements for people learning to drive have been shown to help.
That’s why the Legislature has voted to make Iowa roads safer with two key changes to our state’s graduated driver licensing program. Forty-five other states with similar laws have benefited from a decrease in the number of fatalities and accidents on their roads.
Under Senate File 115:
1. Drivers under 18 must hold an instruction permit for a full 12 months. This will give teens a chance for supervised driving practice in all four seasons. The most dangerous time for new drivers is in the first six months, but accident rates decrease with each additional month behind the wheel.
2. Drivers under 18 are allowed only one unrelated passenger in the vehicle during their first 6 months with an intermediate license. Parents may opt their teen out of this restriction. Studies show that accident rates jump dramatically when young drivers have young passengers in the car.
This effort to make Iowa roadways safer was signed into law May 1 and takes effect January 1, 2014.