THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 17, 1995 TAG: 9503170046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: TEENSPEAK
SOURCE: BY ALLISON WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
MYREON BARRETT learned to drive in a graveyard at age 11.
The 16-year-old sophomore, who took driving lessons from his grandfather, is typical of teenagers, said six Franklin High School students at this week's Teenspeak.
Under Virginia law, a teenager can get a learner's permit at age 15 years and 8 months and a driver's license at 16. A learner's permit requires a licensed driver who is 18 or older to be seated beside the driver in the car. Gov. George Allen has until March 27 to sign a bill that would lower the age to 15 for getting a learner's permit.
If he approves it, the law would go into effect July 1.
``I would say that 70 percent of teens out here already know how to drive when they get their learner's permit,'' said senior Jason Kello, 17.
Much of this experience comes from growing up driving tractors, trucks, go-carts and three-wheelers on farms and the rural backroads, students said.
Still, having a year instead of four months to practice driving would make them better drivers, the group said.
``I think it's good because we will get more experience driving with our parents,'' said eighth-grader Beth Brantley, 14. ``The practice will prove worthwhile.''
Although teens know the mechanics of driving before they get licensed, they often overlook basic driving rules in their quest to impress, said senior A'imee Powell, 18. ``They can get so geared up blowing the horn to get attention and looking at people that they don't think about accidents,'' she said.
Jason agreed, adding that seeing a collision between two cars left a lasting impact on him.
``An accident sometimes doesn't seem real until you watch it happen or ride past a car that has been in a wreck,'' he said. ``Seeing something like that really makes you realize the dangers of driving.'' ILLUSTRATION: I'll be getting mine in July. I think it's good because it will
give people longer to get accustomed to driving before they get
their license.
Sonya Blunt, 15, sophomore
I learned when I was 12 or 13.
Tre'y Blankenship, 15, freshman
by CNB