House Republican Press Release

August 22, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. HOVEY TO HOST MONROE PRESENTATIONS ON NEW TEEN DRIVING LAWS

Sessions Scheduled For September 6, 8

(Hartford) State Rep. DebraLee Hovey (R-Monroe, Newtown) will host forums in Monroe on the new teen driving restrictions that took effect on August 1, 2008. The first forum will take place at the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library on Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the second will be held at the Masuk High School auditorium on Monday, September 8, beginning at 6 p.m.

The forums will feature a power point presentation and handouts that provide details of the new law. The September 8 forum will be held in conjunction with “back to school night” for parents at Masuk High School.

“Quite a few parents in Monroe have asked me questions about the new teen driving restrictions,” said Rep. Hovey. “In light of that interest, it’s best to give people opportunities to learn details of these changes.”

Major elements of the new law include increased the time for supervised new driver training from what were once eight hours, then 20 hours, to a new level of 40 hours. It also lengthens the time when new drivers are restricted in what passengers they may carry in the vehicle.

Only parents or driving instructors are permitted to ride with a new driver for the first six months. Previously, it had been three months. During the second six months, young drivers are permitted to carrying only other family members in the vehicle. Only after 12 months, new drivers may carry non-family members in the vehicle.