South Carolina Senate Bill Aimed at Reducing Teen Driver Accidents

South Carolina’s youngest drivers would have to go through more training before getting a regular license under a bill that has won approval in a Senate panel.

Sen. Joel Lourie says requiring four hours of private driver’s training will help reduce the number of teenage drivers involved in accidents. He says statistics show drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are involved in 28 percent of accidents.

Public schools teaching driver training courses could include the additional hours in their courses. The National Safety Council says the program costs $35 and that 15 South Carolina high schools already use it.