April 19, 2001
(CARSON CITY, Nev.) – The Nevada Assembly has narrowly rejected a bill that would require teenagers to go through a probationary driving period with restricted licenses.
The measure would have required teenagers to hold a learner’s permit for at least six months followed by another four months with a license that would bar them from driving late at night or with groups of passengers other than family members. More than 40 other states have adopted the graduated license system.
In a vote Wednesday, the bill fell one short of the 22-vote majority required for passage. One legislator was absent while 21 voted for the bill and 20 opposed it.
Young drivers are statistically the most likely to be killed or seriously injured on the road and to kill or injure others. Supporters of graduated licenses say that they keep teens out of the most dangerous situations while giving them a chance to gain some much-needed experience.