By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – Teen drivers soon might have to go through more obstacles to get moving on Illinois' roadways.
The state House voted 115-0 Wednesday for a plan pushed by Secretary of State Jesse White to strengthen restrictions on teen drivers' licenses. The plan already has cleared the Senate so it needs only Gov. Rod Blagojevich's signature to become law.
The measure would require teens to take 50 hours of driver's training over nine months instead of three, move curfews up an hour for teen drivers and prohibit them from having more than one other teen in the car for their first driving year.
Most of the changes would take effect Jan. 1. Some would be phased in next summer.
Some lawmakers said they were concerned lengthening the training period to nine months would mean some teens couldn't drive alone until they were nearly 17. But advocates argued the youngsters should first train to drive in different weather conditions.
Supporters say the changes are necessary to make sure teens understand the responsibility that comes along with getting behind the wheel because traffic crashes are a leading killer of teens.
They hope the plan will make Illinois a national leader in teen driving standards, and that other states follow suit. "We had to come up with something that has some teeth in it to help our young drivers," said Rep. John D'Amico, the Chicago Democrat sponsoring the changes.
"This is something that is long overdue."