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Committee Approves Codey Proposal Togive Parents Greater Oversight Of Teenage Drivers

TRENTON – The Senate Transportation Committee today gave the green light to bill S-2480, sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex), which would enhance driver safety by giving parents greater supervision over their child’s driving practices. The bill would allow parents access to their child’s official driving records from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

“As a parent of young drivers, I know how hard it is to keep tabs on them and how many nights are spent worrying when they’re out driving,” said Sen. Codey. “Once they leave the house, it’s almost impossible to tell how they handle themselves behind the wheel. This proposal would allow parents to monitor their child’s driving record to see if they have any offenses, and hopefully encourage kids to be more cautious, knowing their parents can track their record.”

Presently, no individual can request another person’s driving record, except as permitted by law for circumstances such as those involving a court or law enforcement agencies, accident cases, theft, employer verification, et al. Sen. Codey’s bill would amend the current state law (P.L. 1997, c. 188, s. 2) to allow the Motor Vehicle Commission to disclose personal driver information to any parent, guardian or other person with legal custody of an individual under the age of 18.

The Senate has taken an active role in recent weeks to better understand teenage driving habits and find the best ways to educate teens on safe driving practices. Last week the Senate approved a bill creating a Teenage Driver Safety Study Commission. Bill S-2480 now heads to the full Senate for approval.

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