Deadly 1998 car crash led to tougher driving rules

Prompted by a 1998 car crash that killed four Greeley teen- agers, Gov. Bill Owens signed a bill last year requiring minors to have more experience before they get behind the wheel.

The law requires anyone under age 18 to hold an instruction permit for at least six months and be 16 years old before taking a driving test.

Any minor with an instruction permit must submit a written log showing at least 50 hours of driving when applying for a driver's license. Ten of those 50 hours must have been driven at night.

Drivers under 17 face these restrictions:

No one under 17 can drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or a responsible adult unless driving to or from work.

When driving between midnight and 5 a.m., a driver under 17 must have a driver's license and a statement signed by his or her employer or parent stating when the driver arrives and leaves work.

A person under 17 can drive during those hours for an emergency.

No more than one passenger can occupy the front seat of the car driven by a person under 17, and the number of passengers in the back seat cannot exceed the number of seat belts.

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