
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, August 24, 1995                   TAG: 9508240091
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BRISTOW                                LENGTH: Short

DRIVING AGE CHALLENGED

A Prince William County man whose brother was killed in a car crash is imploring state legislators to raise the driving age.

Elias Saffouri's brother, Nabil, was killed in a head-on collision in June. The driver of the other vehicle was a 17-year-old girl with a learner's permit, Prince William authorities said. The young woman remains hospitalized; no charges have been brought in the case.

``Teen-agers at this age are still developing knowledge of responsibility,'' said Saffouri, of Bristow. ``To give them a projectile of 2,000 pounds is very dangerous.''

Saffouri said he will ask legislators to pass a law requiring drivers be at least 16 years, 8 months for a learner's permit - up from the current 15 years; and 17 years, 6 months for a driver's license - up from 16 years.

Saffouri faces an uphill battle.

Just this past year, the General Assembly lowered the age required for a learner's permit from 15 years, 8 months to 15 years. One of the law's opponents said many legislators likely would resist raising the driving age.

Del. George Grayson, D-Williamsburg, said legislators from rural areas supported lowering the age so teen-agers needed for farm work could drive.

Del. Robert Marshall, R-Manassas, said he will try to address the issue next session.

``This [age] reduction went through so fast, we were voting on it before I think people were really aware of it,'' he said.

by CNB