The Sacramento Bee reported on a new bill from Sen. Tom Torlakson of Antioch. (The bill is here.)Sen. Torlakson has decided, correctly, that we are not doing enough to teach teens how to drive. So, he has proposed a bill that would add $10 to the $27 fee that driver spay to take their DMV test. That money would go to someone. Torlakson is not sure who should get it – DMV to update their tests, schools to provide better education, or someone else. But, Torlakson’s bill does set up a commission to figure that out.
Is the bill perfect? No. Is it a start? Yes. Teen driving is still as bad as ever, if not worse. Cars go faster, more cars are on the road, and teens are distracted by their iPods, iPhones, and iOtherstuff. At the same time, we all know that the DMV test is not rocket science and does not really test your driving ability. So, I am support Sen. Torlakson’s efforts.