ATLANTA – State Representative Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) pre-filed House Bill 708 and House Resolution 961 for the upcoming 2016 legislative session. Both bills are aimed at improving teen driver education and preparedness in Georgia.
“It is our duty to take the necessary steps to ensure that Georgia teens have the tools and resources they need to be responsible and safe drivers,” said Rep. Waites. “Far too many injuries and fatal accidents involving inexperienced teen drivers occur every day on Georgia’s busy roads and interstates. I believe that these bills will provide valuable resources to safeguard all Georgians while behind the wheel.”
House Bill 708 would change the minimum age for obtaining a Georgia driver’s permit to 17 and 18 for a Georgia driver’s license. Additionally, the legislation would provide funding to public high schools to offer an elective driver education and training course.
“In an effort to save lives and make our roads safer, I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me to support these bills,” said Rep. Waites. “Research shows that driver education saves lives. While there will likely be some push-back regarding funding, quite frankly, we cannot afford to do nothing. This really is a matter of life and death.”
House Resolution 961 would create a constitutional amendment to the Georgia Constitution to dedicate existing fees and assessments to Georgia trauma centers and driver education training courses in public high schools. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority vote from both the House of Representatives and the Senate before being presented to Georgia voters as a referendum.
Both pieces of legislation will be formally introduced during the 2016 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly.
For more information about HB 708, please click here.
For more information about HR 961, please click here.
Representative Keisha Waites represents the citizens of District 60, which includes portions of Clayton and Fulton counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Interstate Cooperation, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety & Homeland Security, Special Rules, and Transportation committees.
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