Florida has modified the driver’s license test for young people, and it has raised alarms among parents and teenagers. Starting August 1, teens aged 15 and older will have to complete 50 hours of mandatory driving education in addition to the already required course on traffic laws and substance abuse.
Why? Because more and more accidents involve our youth, and that trend needs to stop no matter what. Almost as a rule, young people are less cautious behind the wheel and tend to take more risks, causing more accidents and pain for many families.
But watch out, this isn’t just happening in Florida. Ohio has also started requiring full driving courses for drivers under 21.
Many deaths on the road
The numbers don’t lie, and it’s estimated that more than one million teens were involved in car accidents in Florida alone in 2020. The administration needs to stop this. Our youth cannot keep dying on the roads. That’s why they’ve decided to prioritize road safety for everyone.
New rules for minors
The new law, included in Senate Bill 994 and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, will require teenagers to complete a 50-hour driver education course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
This course is added to the traditional 4-hour course on traffic laws and substances, and they will also need to pass vision and hearing tests and have parental consent.
On top of all this, during the first three months after getting their learner’s permit, they will only be allowed to drive during the day and always accompanied by a licensed adult over 21 to make sure they are not a danger behind the wheel.
What is this law really aiming for?
To save lives!! It’s as simple as that: to reduce traffic accidents among our youth. The rate that was being recorded in the state was not normal, whether because of lack of experience, distractions, or reckless behavior. It doesn’t matter why, it’s something that needs to stop, and steps are already being taken.
What is expected with this change?
That drivers will be more responsible and better prepared to take the roads, and above all, that they will develop more caution. When there’s an accident, it’s not only the driver who suffers, but also the person they crash into and their families. All road users can be potential victims.
Beyond Florida
Other states are already taking note. Ohio, for example, will also require people under 21 to complete full driving courses. Governor Mike DeWine has made it clear that young people who go through driving education are safer drivers. And that’s just as true for adults getting a license for the first time.
Is this new requirement accessible?
Yes and no. It’s accessible because it’s not hard to do, but some are already worried about the financial cost of these mandatory courses. Driver education isn’t cheap, and many families already have enough on their plate without adding another expense for driving lessons.
But since there’s always a solution, some driving schools will offer the courses for free and in person, guided by certified instructors so that the financial cost won’t be a reason to miss out on getting a license.
The new law might seem annoying for someone trying to get their license at a young age, but let’s be honest, better to spend three months driving with your dad than to lose your life. The goal is clear and unquestionable: save lives, reduce harm, and take care of each other.
And no, this isn’t some crazy move by the state government, it’s backed by pure statistics. We shouldn’t wait to lose more lives before doing something about it!