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Support the STANDUP Act on Facebook with the Saferoads4teens Coalition page

The Saferoads4teens Coalition has a new page on Facebook.  Click here to check it out.  
 
Help us build support by clicking "Like" on our page and sharing our page with your friends. 

 

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Recent Teen Driving Related Crashes Across the Nation

(click each link to read more)
   
 

 

3/9/11 - South Knoxville, TN - 16-year-old driver killed in crash

 

STANDUP ACT UPDATE
March 11, 2011
STANDUP Act introduced in the U.S. Senate as S. 528

The Safe Teen And Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate on March 9 by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).  The bill is S. 528.  Introduction of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives is expected shortly. 
  
Senator Gillibrand hosted a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, March 8, to announce the introduction of the STANDUP Act.  She was joined by original co-sponsor Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), as well as House sponsors Representatives Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).  Other original co-sponsors of S. 528 are Senators Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Thomas Carper (D-DE), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
  
The press conference also included several parents who have lost teens in crashes, teens who advocate for stronger teen driving laws, and other advocates.   
  
  
3-8-11 Press Event 1

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) speaks about her introduction of the STANDUP Act.  (From left to right:  Eilene Okerblom of Santa Maria, CA, holding a photo of her son, Eric; Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); (behind Sen. Klobuchar) Jerry Assa of Plainview, NY, holding a photo of his son, Brian; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY); Alan Brown of Cartersville, GA,holding a photo of his son, Joshua; Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY); crash survivor Tyler Presnell of Vancouver, WA; and Ray Sanderbeck of Medina, OH, holding a photo of his daughter, Michelle.)

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Elliot Johnson and Megan Daugherty with Sen. Gillibrand
Elliot Johnson of Brookings, SD, and Megan Daugherty of Mamaroneck, NY, speak about teen support for the STANDUP Act, as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) looks on.

 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Please call your Senators and urge them to co-sponsor S. 528, the STANDUP Act. 
  
The Senate switchboard number is 202-224-3121;
an operator will connect you to your Senator's office.


 

Not sure who your Senators are?  Click here to find out.
  
Parents, Teens, and Victims Visit Capitol Hill

Following the press conference on March 8, a group of parents, teens, and crash victims visited offices of members of Congress to advocate for the STANDUP Act.
 
As these dedicated people demonstrate, the most powerful and persuasive way to educate lawmakers about the STANDUP Act is through personal stories, particularly stories from parents who have lost a child in a teen driving related crash. 

If you or someone you know has a story about a teen driving crash that you would be willing to share, please contact Jenny Cheek at the Saferoads4teens Coalition by clicking here or calling 202-408-1711.
Thank you for supporting the STANDUP Act and the Saferoads4teens Coalition!
 
The Safe Teen And Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act is federal legislation that would compel states to strengthen their laws for novice teen drivers, often called Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws.

For more information, please contact Jenny Cheek at 202-408-1711 (ext. 15) or at jcheek@saferoads.org. 

For more information on teen driving, Graduated Driver Licensing, and the STANDUP Act -- including fact sheets for all 50 states, information on rural driving, and information on age 16 as the minimum age for driving -- check out the Saferoads4teens website at www.saferoads4teens.org.