New Rules Sept.1st for New Drivers Ed Requirement..
By Rosekitty
@Rosekitty (19368)
San Marcos, Texas
August 29, 2015 10:20am CST
Here in Texas..not certain if anywhere else but starting september 1st..
a two-hour distracted driving course is required for teenagers applying for a driver’s license.
The course addresses everything from talking, texting, messing with the radio, eating, drinking and putting on make-up. In 8 lessons, attention grabbing statistics and real-life stories persuade teenage drivers to stay focused behind the wheel.
The Department of Public Safety created the new driving requirement called "Impact Texas Teen Drivers". It's a free, online course meant to save lives.
I am so happy they finally started this cause of all the new technology it is really needed.
Do you know if you have anything like this coming up in your part of the world, or has it already happened?
20 people like this
19 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
29 Aug 15
Wow big changes and yes it is good I hope.
I hope it wont disqualify worthy applicants however Rosekitty. What I mean is I hope they wont make it too hard for teenagers to pass it I mean.
6 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 Aug 15
the worst driver on the road are the first year drivers.
4 people like this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Aug 15
@AbbyGreenhill It takes time and experience to learn how to time lights and judge distance. I know I had problem with that at first. And that's without being distracted by something else.
4 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@TiarasOceanView..too many teens text and drive and lose their lives plus others they crash into..it happens here so much i am glad they are finally making them take this class..
3 people like this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Aug 15
In California, if you get your driver's license before you're 18, you have to take an online written course and a 6 hour driving course (which you have to pay for - the schools don't do it any more). Once you're 18, you just have to pass your written and driving tests. I don't know if the courses include distracted driving stuff or not.
5 people like this
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Aug 15
@Rosekitty I'm sure some parents make the child earn the money to pay for it. I just meant that it has to be paid for, where the school districts used to teach it.
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@dawnald I feel driving is a privilege and if you pass then you are qualified but not cause you have money..sadly they make their parents pay and it should be the child earning it to show they are responsible
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
29 Aug 15
This is the first I have herd of this happening anywhere. The reason they are doing this is because many people have abused having/using a cell device behind the wheel and they have caused this themselves. They can not complain because it is their own fault!!!
2 people like this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
29 Aug 15
@Rosekitty Well where I live it's not only the teens, I see lots of older adult drivers using their devices behind the wheel. 
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@howard96h I agree and my youngest daughter has a bad habit of using her phone till she got in an accident and learned her lesson..she will be 30 in Nov.
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@howard96h that is true..when we were teens we never had to deal with those cell phones but these kids act like it is a part of their body
2 people like this
@rebelann (111131)
• El Paso, Texas
29 Aug 15
I wish they would up the age for teens to get a license, many who will be taking that class are too young to actually believe they would be at risk if they did that ..... in many countries the youngest age to get a drivers license is 18, to me 16 is far too young.
4 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@rebelann I know what you mean..video games and movies aren't real to them..
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111131)
• El Paso, Texas
29 Aug 15
@Rosekitty teens tween 14 and 16 watch movies much worse than what they'll see in this course, most have been desensitized.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 Aug 15
Some of them at 25 shouldn't be driving!
4 people like this
@taramarie39 (667)
• Williamsburg, Virginia
29 Aug 15
I haven't heard of this. But this does sound like a great idea. I hope it really takes off.
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@taramarie39..i'm sure we will have teens upset but it does go into affect here tuesday in texas..
2 people like this
@taramarie39 (667)
• Williamsburg, Virginia
29 Aug 15
@Rosekitty yeah, I'm sure they will be upset. No doubt.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 Aug 15
They way they drive around here its hard to believe any of them took any kind of lessons, including understanding the speed limit.
3 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@AbbyGrenhill..I was a very cautious driver obeying all the rules when i first started..but i never worried about a cell phone like these young ones do now..I'm amazed half of them are still alive.
3 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45496)
• United States
29 Aug 15
@Rosekitty Problem is they kill other people.
3 people like this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
29 Aug 15
I don't know if we have this sort of course for new licencees here. There is certainly a course for people who have offended (mostly by speeding) but I think it mostly concentrates on good, responsible driving and observing the speed limits. Taking the course is an option - you can choose a fine and 3 points on your license or you can choose the course (which costs about the same as the fine). I expect that it does deal with the use of mobile phones whilst driving, since that is definitely illegal here (unless you have a hands-free phone kit fitted).
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@owlwings..i wouldn't mind if all were hands free but not these kids here in Texas..
2 people like this
@rusty2rusty (6751)
• Defiance, Ohio
29 Aug 15
I don't know if they do or not. I know it cost $300 to take the drivers course for teens here. Needless to say my teens on is not getting his license til he turns 18. When the rate is lower. Til then I will get him where he needs to go. or he can ride his bike.
I do think this new course is a great idea. I hope the teens learn from it.
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@rusty2rusty..i too agree with this new law..and they have outside Drivers courses now..not in the school like when i was a teen in the 60's
1 person likes this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Aug 15
I'm in CA, and my kids are still way too young to drive, so I'm not sure what we have here (perhaps I should look into this!!). But I would welcome such a class - and hey, perhaps we should have that for adults as well (believe me, I see plenty of non-teens pulling that stuff while driving!!).
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@much2say..if one state does it others usually follow so it might be the same in California and i agree it should be for all ages..
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
29 Aug 15
@Rosekitty We need it. I've heard what they say about CA, or least the drivers in LA - and sadly it's true!
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
29 Aug 15
We have no course like this one, but I am asking myself how car radios are still authorized in my country : we need to have a special kit not needing hands to do a phone call (even bluetooth headsets are forbidden since this year), we cannot text, we cannot eat, we cannot drink, we cannot drive barefoot, etc, etc. When I turn on the radio a message says : "Please, do not let your attention be disturbed by the radio."
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@topffer..wow that is really tough if you can't listen to a radio either..but some do get carried away singing and some dancing while they drive
2 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
29 Aug 15
@Rosekitty I can still listen to the radio, but I don't know for how long
.
.2 people like this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
2 Sep 15
I think that is a good idea. These kids need to learn how dangerous it is to use cellphones while driving. And everything else for that matter. I know a lot of new cars have the phone and everything built into them with voice activation. But until every car can control everything, they need classes like this.
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
2 Sep 15
@inertia,,yes i feel the same way
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
8 Sep 15
@inertia4 yes it will very much!
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
8 Sep 15
@Rosekitty I always tell my kids this about cellphones. They are not at driving age yet, but I figure telling them now might help down the road.
1 person likes this
@TexanTornado (5573)
• United States
29 Aug 15
This is the 1st I have heard of it. However, I think some adults need this course too. So many times I am behind someone at a red light and they are talking or texting on their cell phone.
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
29 Aug 15
@TexanTornado..yes it starts here Sept 1st..plus other new laws/rules...and i agree it should be for anyone renewing their license too
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
30 Aug 15
@LadyDuck this is the same here
1 person likes this
@harry80012 (14)
• India
30 Aug 15
yes its very good way to teenage drivers now they can learn more and perfectly
2 people like this
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
30 Aug 15
I'm not sure if we have anything like this but it would be nice if we did. We have to many teens texting and driving or talking on their cells etc. I see adults doing the same thing so it's not just teenagers.
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
30 Aug 15
@Blondie2222 yes true..it should be for all not just teens
@Carmelanirel2 (8084)
• United States
6 Sep 15
I wonder how they will be tested? I mean if it is a question like "should you text while driving?" every teen will know the answer is "no" but will they act on that answer?
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
6 Sep 15
@Carmelanirel2..i'm sure they will have to watch horrible crash videos and discuss things..making sure they are aware..
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
30 Aug 15
@Gwensmom I have seen them put their makeup on while driving..its their way to do something last moment on the way to work or class..texting is the number 1 thing that cause teens to have accidents now
1 person likes this
@Gwensmom (504)
• United States
30 Aug 15
@Rosekitty Texting and driving is illegal for teens here. Doesn't mean they don't do it. It should be for everyone.
My daughter keeps her phone in the backseat. If she texts in the car, it is while she is stopped.
1 person likes this
@hemanthrv (1)
• Bangalore, India
30 Aug 15
New technologies or Gadgets usually CANNOT change anything. 'Understanding' will reduce accident or traffic issues. So i think offline 2 hour course by the people of The Department of Public Safety is better than online course. people, especially teenager pays more attention to offline than online. the offline expenses worth it....thank you
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
30 Aug 15
Right now the future of driver's ed in NC is up in the air. The legislature had cut public money for driver's ed out of the budget but pressure from nearly everyone has forced them to re-evaluate this ill-considered decision.
1 person likes this
