H.R. 1895 would provide driver safety grants to States with graduated driver licensing laws that meet certain minimum requirements.
Detailed Summary
Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2009 or the STANDUP Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to award incentive grants to states with graduated driver licensing laws that include, for novice drivers under age 21, a two-stage licensing process before the grant of an unrestricted driver's license.
Requires such laws, at a minimum, to include: (1) a learner's permit stage that commences at age 16 or older, lasts at least six months, prohibits the use of a cellular phone or other communications device in non-emergency situations, prohibits nighttime driving, and is in effect until commencement of the intermediate stage or when the driver attains age 18 or older; (2) an intermediate stage in effect until the driver attains age 18 or older that commences after expiration of the learner's permit stage, lasts at least six months, prohibits more than one non-familial passenger under age of 21 if there is no licensed driver age 21 or older present in the vehicle, prohibits nighttime driving, and prohibits the use of a cellular phone or other communications device in non-emergency situations; and (3) any other requirement that the Secretary may require.
Directs the Secretary to withhold a certain percentage of federal-aid highway funds from states that do not comply with the requirements of this Act.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/3/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Points in Favor
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)
Points Against
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)
Visitor Comments
Scott in NJ
July 6, 2009, 10:49am (report abuse)Seems to prohibit ALL driving after dark. How would drivers get experience driving in the evening if prohibited? Maybe missed something on a quick read.
Mlockwood
August 6, 2009, 4:24pm (report abuse)Just seems to be another way that the Federal Government is involving itself in issues that should reside with the state. The stick of federal funding is being used to beat states into submission. This should be left in state authority.
Julie
August 16, 2009, 8:16pm (report abuse)Very upset about this bill, age change for driving and parental control and no night driving. What about kids who need to get jobs or even have farm jobs. I am very unhappy about this change and think the federal government needs to stay out of this area completely. Do not pass this bill it is crazy even from an RN emergency room nurses perspective.
Tbrew
August 26, 2009, 1:52pm (report abuse)i can't stand this bill. Now i have to wait nine months to get my provisional. It doesn't take six months to learn to drive... teens are going to die while driving.... its a fact and there's is nothing you can do to stop it.... unless you take driving away completely.... so get over it driving is gonna be dangerous.... people are gonna die..... that's life. Gov't needs to get its fingers out of this stuff. I thought it was suppose to be about what the people want.... i haven't heard any complaints about six months with a permit.... but have heard a lot of complaints about this Stand Up stuff H.R.1895 shouldn't be permitted