Under the new legislation, which goes into effect early next year, teenagers with provisional licenses will be limited to only one passenger under 21 while driving without adult supervision. This restriction does not apply to immediate family members and no longer applies after six months of successful driving. If the law is violated, however, the time period will be extended.
Libby Hunter, a 17 year-old recent graduate of Chapel Hill High School, said she is opposed to the law.
"I think it is stupid and makes no difference in how distracted you are.
"If anything it makes me feel more responsible if I have people in the car," she said. "Besides, people who aren't supposed to drive after 9 p.m. still do -- this won't stop them from having lots of passengers."
However, Kelly Hunter, Libby's mom, is in favor of the new legislation and said it will take the pressure off a lot of parents. "I think it's a great idea, and we have that rule in our house anyway," she said. "I know a lot of families who have the same rule and will be relieved to not be the bad guys anymore."
UNC Highway Safety Research Center studies have shown that more than one passenger increases the risk of teenage driving accidents by 137 percent and that in the 7,484 teenage automobile accidents of 2000, 1,200 involved two or more passengers.
Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, who voted for the bill, said this is just one more regulation favoring the safety of citizens.
"I think the government's role is to protect for the common good," she said.
