New state teen driving laws aim to curb crashes

By Jeff Karoub Associated Press DETROIT (AP) -- New restrictions to Michigan's graduated driver's license program for teen drivers are meant to save lives and minimize distractions. Drivers with the intermediate licenses won't be allowed to have more than one unrelated passenger under age 21 unless they're accompanied by a parent or guardian or driving to and from school events. They also won't be allowed behind the wheel between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they're driving to and from work. Previously, they could drive until midnight. Fifteen-year-old Dylan Fox, who lives in Schoolcraft County in the Upper Peninsula, will be among the first to face the new restrictions. He isn't thrilled about the passenger provision, but he gets the point: staying safe and curbing crashes. The new laws go into effect Wednesday. Published: Tue, Mar 29, 2011