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Session: State Capitol, Room 118 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3777 Fax: (907) 465-2819 Send E-Mail Interim: 10928 Eagle River Road, Suite 141 Eagle River, AK 99577 Phone: (907) 694-8944 Fax: (907) 694-8945 |
Revocation of a Minor's Driver's License
An act relating to revocation and reinstatment of the driver's license of a persona at least 14, but not yet 21 years of age.
The Use It. Lose It" law incurs results that are inequitable toward teens who, after maturing and amending delinquent behavior, lose the valuable privilege of driving for substantial periods of time. Furthermore, the delinquent behavior by the juvenile need not be attached in any way to a vehicle under the current statute. This bill hopes to keep the intent of the "Use It, Lose It" legislation intact while dampening the harsher aspects associated with the legislation. When the law was ratified, it was the legislature's belief that 2500 revocations per year would occur. That number has jumped to over 4500. The bill hopes to:
- amend current law by requiring consumption of alcohol as a requisite to revoking a teen's license.
- remove "consecutive" penalties and run them concurrently.
- establish youth court jurisdiction over revocation appeal hearing for juveniles, in areas that authorize youth courts.
- authorize administrative hearers to re-issue licenses upon a showing of:
- compliance with the statute.
- compliance with the title or department regulation.
- the license will allow the offender to attend school, care for a dependant child, or earn a livelihood without creating a danger to the public.
The State of Alaska has a genuine interest in promoting driving safety as well as curbing teen alcohol use. Nevertheless, to punish a youth by taking away his or her license for twenty years, for flighty mistakes while very young is far too severe. When a person at a young age makes several mistakes, which become determinative of his or her future, consideration should be taken for amelioration of that youth's behavior. The "Use It, Lose It" law should be based on its premise - if alcohol is used, the license is revoked. As a policy measure, if the youth shows corrective behavior upon reaching majority, the privilege of a license ought to be returned. I urge support for HB 151.