District 211 ready to meet new teen driving law

The age-old teenage rite of passage -- earning a driver's license -- just got a little harder thanks to a new state law, and Schaumburg-Palatine High School District 211 officials are gearing up for the change.

Starting in July, teens must now have their driver's permit for nine months until they're eligible for a driver's license. The new state law, adopted in August, raised the permit period by six months in an effort to reduce auto crashes involving teens. A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety claims the new law would reduce fatal crashes with 16-year-old drivers by 38 percent.

The law also further restricts nighttime driving for teens under 18. Curfew is now 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. Drivers under 18 who are ticketed for traffic violations and require a court appearance would have to bring a parent or guardian to receive court supervision. That portion of the law is already in effect.

The law, formerly known as Jesse White's Teen Driving Bill, also changes school driver's education requirements. No longer will schools be allowed to use driver simulators instead of time behind the wheel of an actual car. Before the law, students could spend five to six hours using a simulator to satisfy requirements instead of the three hours of actual on-the-road driving experience.

In reaction, District 211 officials will have to replace one vehicle at each of the district's five schools every year for vehicles older than 10 years, as well as purchase an extra vehicle at each school each year. They're also planning to address the number of simulators needed at schools, as they can be used only for students making up missed classes.

Superintendent Roger Thornton said he wanted to ensure the district was "ready to go" before the law affects the district.

In other transportation news, the district adopted a new policy which gives new meaning to "no child left behind."

The district revised its bus driver policy, requiring drivers to be the last person who leaves a bus -- meaning no child is left behind. The policy requires drivers to go through a checklist of turning off the bus ignition, switching on an interior light and walking to the back of the bus to check seats.

Board Vice President Lynn Davis said drivers already make normal inspections, checking for items including tire pressure, but the new law is needed to include interior inspections.