I want to take this opportunity to discuss a bill I authored for the 2007 Legislative Session. SB 2415 requires that an individual must hold a temporary permit for at least one year without any moving violations before receiving an intermediate license. If a moving violation occurs, the one-year waiting period starts over. Individuals must then remain without a moving violation for six months before receiving a standard license.

As a concerned legislator and father, I am greatly alarmed by the disproportionately high death rates among teenagers. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 16-year-old drivers tend to be involved in auto crashes three times as often as 17-year-olds and five times as often as 18-year-olds. When compared with 20 to 24-year-olds, 16-year-old drivers crash an astounding 15 times more often.

In addition, eight of the 10 states with the highest teen-driver fatality rates are in the South. Highway safety officials from Southern states, including Mississippi, say “rural, tree-lined roads that provide little margin for error make these states deadlier for young drivers.”

Southwest Mississippi is undoubtedly a rural area with many roads fitting this description.

I have become very impassioned with improving laws to protect our young drivers. I think the additional experience and maturity gained from having to drive for a year incident free could positively affect our teen crash fatality rates. Many organizations have come out in support of this bill. Organizations like the Mississippi Association Highway Safety Leaders, Mississippi Department of Transportation and Mississippi State Troopers Association all agree that SB 2415 is good legislation.

This is the third year that I have authored this bill, led it to passage on the Senate floor, only to have it die in the Transportation Committee in the House of Representatives. I cannot understand why this bill has continued to meet with opposition in the House. This year I want to see this bill pass in the Transportation Committee and have the opportunity to be voted on by all House members.

Rep. Bill Miles, District 21, chairs the Transportation Committee. Over the next few weeks, I will be urging him to pass SB 2415. At this time, I urge you to contact him as a concerned citizen and ask him to vote on SB 2415. You can contact Rep.Miles at 601-359-3355 or wmiles@house.ms.gov.

If you feel this piece of legislation should be enacted, please contact your district senator and representative. Never doubt that your voice and your opinions matter. I welcome any of your comments or suggestions. Call me at 601-359-4090 or write to me at kbutler@senate.ms.gov or P.O. Box 1018, Jackson, MS 39215.

Kelvin Butler is a Mississippi Senator who represents a portion of Adams County.