One of the rites of passage for many teenagers is getting a driver’s license. It signifies independence, freedom and the beginnings of a self-sufficient lifestyle. However, many Florida teenagers who are in the state’s foster care programs are denied the ability to drive – sometimes for no other reason than they’re not in one place long enough to complete driver’s education courses or they cannot afford them. A piece of legislation before the Florida legislature seeks to make it easier for foster teens to get their driver’s licenses.
“Keys to Independence”
Florida Senate Bill (SB) 744, entitled Keys to Independence and introduced by Senator Nancy Detert, R-Venice, seeks to remove some of the barriers for foster children winning the right to drive on Florida roads, according to the Ocala Star Banner.
The legislation is aimed at approximately 1,400 foster children between the ages of 15 and 17 who are living directly under Florida state care, including those in group homes. A recent report from Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) found that only nine percent of foster children had a learner’s permit and only three percent had a driver’s license.
Two of the obstacles to obtaining a license for Florida foster teens are that 1) living in group homes often means being transferred between high schools, which can prevent the teens from enrolling in driver’s education classes and 2) the cost of a learner’s permit and car insurance.
One of the people who testified before the Senate Transportation Committee in favor of the legislation was 23-year-old Thomas Fair who spent his teenage years in Florida foster care. Fair said that the proposed legislation would have helped him, as he was unable to get his driver’s license until he was 18 due to the barriers listed above. He said that once he did get his license, not only did he consider himself to be a “danger” on the roads, but that his car insurance rates were “sky high” – conditions that could further prevent foster teens from seeking licenses and independence.
Inexperienced drivers of any kind are more likely to cause car accidents. It makes sense to ensure that all drivers are properly trained and understand driving laws to avoid crashes that can lead to serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, broken bones and possible disability.
Detert’s legislation would create a statewide pilot program aimed at resolving the cost of insurance, covering the initial $48 cost of a learner’s permit and providing funding for driver’s education courses in high schools.
One of the rites of passage for many teenagers is getting a driver’s license. It signifies independence, freedom and the beginnings of a self-sufficient lifestyle. However, many Florida teenagers who are in the state’s foster care programs are denied the ability to drive – sometimes for no other reason than they’re not in one place long enough to complete driver’s education courses or they cannot afford them. A piece of legislation before the Florida legislature seeks to make it easier for foster teens to get their driver’s licenses.
“Keys to Independence”
Florida Senate Bill (SB) 744, entitled Keys to Independence and introduced by Senator Nancy Detert, R-Venice, seeks to remove some of the barriers for foster children winning the right to drive on Florida roads, according to the Ocala Star Banner.
The legislation is aimed at approximately 1,400 foster children between the ages of 15 and 17 who are living directly under Florida state care, including those in group homes. A recent report from Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) found that only nine percent of foster children had a learner’s permit and only three percent had a driver’s license.
Two of the obstacles to obtaining a license for Florida foster teens are that 1) living in group homes often means being transferred between high schools, which can prevent the teens from enrolling in driver’s education classes and 2) the cost of a learner’s permit and car insurance.
One of the people who testified before the Senate Transportation Committee in favor of the legislation was 23-year-old Thomas Fair who spent his teenage years in Florida foster care. Fair said that the proposed legislation would have helped him, as he was unable to get his driver’s license until he was 18 due to the barriers listed above. He said that once he did get his license, not only did he consider himself to be a “danger” on the roads, but that his car insurance rates were “sky high” – conditions that could further prevent foster teens from seeking licenses and independence.
Inexperienced drivers of any kind are more likely to cause car accidents. It makes sense to ensure that all drivers are properly trained and understand driving laws to avoid crashes that can lead to serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, broken bones and possible disability.
Detert’s legislation would create a statewide pilot program aimed at resolving the cost of insurance, covering the initial $48 cost of a learner’s permit and providing funding for driver’s education courses in high schools.