OLYMPIA…Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, has introduced a bill that would change state law to make sure young drivers are not automatically placed on probation if they are involved in a traffic accident that isn’t their fault.  Washington law requires that teens with an intermediate driver’s license be put on probation until age 18 if they are involved in a traffic accident.  This occurs regardless of who is at fault.  Senate Bill 5469, which has bipartisan support, would allow teens who aren’t at fault to avoid probation.   

“It doesn’t make any sense to penalize young people for something they have no control over,” said Parlette. “I know this term gets tossed about a lot in Olympia, but this really is a common-sense bill.”

In 2000, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 6264, which established three licensing phases a driver under the age of 18 must pass through before being issued a driver’s license. An applicant must first obtain a six-month permit and complete a driver’s education course. Next, he or she must pass a written test and a driving test administered by the Department of Licensing. At that point the applicant is eligible for an intermediate license.

During the intermediate stage there are a number of rules that the driver must obey. Among these, the driver is prohibited from receiving a citation of any sort. This includes being cited for an accident even if it was not the young driver’s fault. 

Parlette heard from several citizens in her district who have children adversely affected by this provision. 

“I’ve had parents approach me and ask if there’s anything that can be done about this aspect of the law,” Parlette said.  “I’m supportive of the intermediate license program, but it doesn’t seem fair to punish young people for accidents that weren’t their fault.  I know that if I’m hearing so much about this, there must be a lot of parents and young people around the state with the same concern.”

Parlette’s bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

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