Most teenagers view getting their driver’s license as a rite ofpassage toward adulthood. But as with any right, there comesresponsibility.

That is where a bill being sponsored by District 38 Sen. KelvinButler, D-Magnolia, comes into play.

The bill, SB 2415, requires that an individual hold a temporarypermit for at least one year without any moving violations beforereceiving an intermediate license. If a moving violation occurs,the one-year waiting period starts over. Individuals must thenremain without a moving violation for six months before receiving astandard license.

Butler requested the legislation out of a concern for teenagersand over the alarming death rate among young drivers. On their own,Butler’s intentions are sufficient and should make the bill worthyof passage.

Another component of the waiting period, though, is the lessonyoung people will learn if the bill becomes law. That lesson isthat they must prove they can be responsible enough to operate avehicle in a safe manner.

Too often we read headlines about young people dying needlesslyin automobile crashes. No one can understand the pain and griefparents go through during times like that.

Young people learning to be responsible drivers will go a longway toward achieving Butler’s intended purpose of reducing teendeaths in automobile accidents. It will also make the roads saferfor all members of the traveling public.

Butler said this is the third year he has introduced thelegislation, which has passed the Senate but later died in theHouse Transportation Committee. For the safety of young people andothers who travel our state roadways, the third time needs to bethe charm for Butler’s bill.