New Jersey Seeks New Restrictions On Teen Drivers

New Jersey has **tough rules** for teen drivers starting out. They require a lot of training before teens can get behind the wheel alone. Teens can only drive at specific times, with certain people, and need to use a learner's permit for a long period of time. Now New Jersey legislators are trying to make the requirements for new teen drivers even more strict by requiring them, and their legal parent or guardian, to successfully complete a driver orientation program and provide proof of completion to the driver's license board before being given their learner's permit. The new law would be required of all new drivers under the age of 21. The new law would also increase the time they must drive with a learner's permit from six months to a full 12 months. Traffic school is a benefit for all drivers, but New Jersey doesn't stop there. Right now, new teen drivers in New Jersey who are 16 years old can only obtain a student learner’s permit through a behind-the-wheel driver education course of at least six hours, or wait until they are 17 to get their learner's permit. They are permitted to drive only with an adult, and with no more than one other passenger in the car other than their parents or guardians. They are totally banned from using any type of hand-held device while behind the wheel and may not drive after 11 p.m. or before 5 a.m., unless they have a special dispensation for driving to work or school. Once they are 17 and have completed the requirements young drivers can get a probationary license which allows unsupervised driving. They must hold this license for a minimum of 12 months in order to qualify for a basic driver license. Every teen driver is required to ensure every passenger in their vehicle wears a seatbelt and receives a red sticker which they must apply to their license plate to signify they are a teen driving. Also in New Jersey, no court may reduce a moving violation receive by a teen driver. Fortunate for teen drivers, though they do pose an increased risk to other drivers, they receive a 5 percent discount on their insurance premiums for successfully completing an online traffic school. Plus, the increased practice hasn't hurt anyone. Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Melrose Place Star Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter

The star from the original Melrose Place continues to make headlines following her DUI car crash last June in New Jersey, which resulted in the death another motorist. Amy Locane-Bovenizer is facing manslaughter charges. The 39-year-old mother of two pleaded not guilty to aggravated manslaughter and assault by auto charges, reports say. Somerset County prosecutors say Locane-Bovenizer's SUV hit the vehicle of 60-year-old Fred Seeman as he was turning into his driveway, breaking 10 of his ribs and killing his wife. Officers detected alcohol on Locane-Bovenizer's breath and arrested her, but she was shortly freed after posting $50,000 bail. We talked about this subject before, but it never ceases to amaze and anger us.  We come across many people from different walks of life in our Traffic School. 
 

Celebrities often drop by our Hollywood classes, showing that even stars get traffic tickets. Everyone slips up with speeding now and then. But fame brings **big responsibilities.** Reckless driving, especially drunk driving, isn’t OK for anyone. It's even worse seeing a star in the news for it. Seriously, if you're having a few drinks, hire a limo—you can totally afford it!