West Orange Teens Push Lawmakers For Driver’s Permit Changes

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Several students from West Orange High School recently took a trip to Trenton to push for a proposed state law on driver’s licenses.

The Nikhil Badlani Youth Advisory Board members appeared before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee to testify on behalf of S-2789 at a hearing on Nov. 30.

If it becomes law, the bill would require holders of examination permits and special learner’s permits under the age of 21 to complete at least 50 hours of practice driving – at least 10 of which must be completed during hours of darkness.

A parent, guardian or the supervising driver of a permit holder would have to certify that these hours of practice driving were completed.

“We will be saving lives,” a junior at the high school told legislators at the hearing.

“I personally was reluctant to put myself behind the wheel,” he continued, adding that it’s an energetic feeling to see your friends driving as a teen.

“However, the part you don’t realize at that moment is the possible dangers that come along with it,” he said. “One of these dangers is the lack of preparation they’ve had on the road.”

Watch the advisory board members speak in a video here (starts around 32:30 mark).

On Monday, the bill unanimously passed a full Senate vote. A companion bill in the Assembly passed a committee vote 4-0.

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