A new law affecting many of Utah's teenage drivers goes into effect today.
The law, passed by Utah lawmakers earlier this year, requires any teen who gets a learner's permit at age 15 to hold that permit for at least six months before applying for a driver's license. The 15-year-old driver must also acquire that learner's permit before enrolling in a drivers education class.
Utah law states a person must be at least age 16 before getting a driver's licence. That person also must have taken a driver education program.
AAA of Utah is offering a free brochure explaining the new law and changes to the state's graduated licensing law that went into effect earlier this year. The brochure is available at Driver Licence Division offices and AAA Utah offices.
Changes to Utah's graduated licensing law include the following:
New drivers cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. until age 17.
New drivers are not allowed to have non-family passengers in the car for the first six months they have a license. Passengers are allowed if a driver age 21 or older is in the car with the new teen driver.
AAA of Utah says car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers.
"Teens who obey traffic rules and regulations, follow GDL (graduated driver license) regulations and have actively involved parents are much less likely to crash," Rolayne Fairclough, AAA spokeswoman, said in a statement. "Just think how many young lives could be saved by adherence to the laws and parental involvement."