Teen license proposal may not be practical
Published 8:04 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2009
We’re all for ensuring only safe drivers take to Alabama’s roads and highways.
However, we’re not sure a Senate bill seeking to link teen bad behavior to when they are eligible to receive a driver’s license will do that.
State Sen. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals, introduced a bill, which passed the Senate’s education committee, that if voted into law will make teens’ behavior in school
a determiner in whether and when they receive a driver’s license or any other state license required to operate a motor vehicle or vessel.
It’s a good idea, no doubt.
How practical or enforceable it is, is the question.
Under provisions of the bill, students would earn points for time spent in in-school suspension,out-of-school suspension, in alternative schools and when expelled.
With each point, the ability to receive a driver’s license would be delayed, up to one year.
Most would agree punishing poor behavior is appropriate.
What remains in question is how would administration of the bill work.
Our schools are overburdened with paperwork at present.
Creating additional work for school administrators and staffs already under the gun to cut millions from school
spending statewide, simply doesn’t seem practical.
– Alex City Outlook