A new bill could require Minnesotans under 21 to complete driver’s education before they can obtain a license.
Currently, state law mandates 30 hours of driver’s education for those 17 and under, but the new proposal by State Rep. Andrew Myers would require every new driver to take driver’s education before getting behind the wheel.
Statistics seem to back the proposal.
Statistics show drivers aged 18 to 20 who skip driver’s ed are 75% more likely to get a traffic ticket and 24% more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
Minneapolis resident Isaac George expressed uncertainty about the bill’s effectiveness.
“I don’t know if I would say it’s a bad idea, but I don’t know if it’s necessarily going to solve anything,” said George.
He suggested that updating road designs in high-traffic areas might do a better job of keeping drivers safe.
“Fix some of the off and on ramps in the city, they’re not big enough for people to merge on and off at the same time,” said George.
Chris Williams, a youth hockey coach in Minneapolis, has a 13-year-old son whom he plans to take driver’s education. He shared his perspective on the proposed mandate.
“I think so, it would at least make people think a little bit,” said Williams when asked if the classes would make better drivers.
Williams, however, also suggested another solution for improving driver safety.
“Give out a lot of bus passes and improve public transportation and then you have a lot few drivers on the road,” said Williams.