Are changes to Florida driving requirements enough?

In August of last year, Florida expanded its requirements for a driver’s permit, increasing instruction time from four to six hours and broadening the curriculum to a generalized “Driver Education Traffic Safety” course. With car crashes being the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S., and distractions being a growing concern, some are asking if the changes are enough. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2019, drivers aged 15 to 20 were more distracted during fatal crashes than any other age group. In Florida, drivers in their 20s accounted for 25% of all distracted driving crashes last year, making them the most likely age group to be distracted at the time of a crash. “We tell the kids if you think you’re going to go through your entire life without getting involved in a crash, you would be a rarity,” said John Bolen, who has been teaching driver’s education for about 35 years. In Florida, teens must hold a permit for a year and have a parent or guardian confirm they have practiced driving for 50 hours, including 10 hours at night, before obtaining a driver’s license. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsHowever, practice is not mandated for individuals 18 or older. “We are arguably one of the easiest states in the U.S. to get a driver’s license,” Bolen said. “There is no driver’s ed required as far as behind-the-wheel driving goes.” Bolen runs A Treasure Coast Driving School, which partners with Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River County school districts to offer free behind-the-wheel lessons. Charter and home-schooled students in Palm Beach and Indian River counties qualify for the free classes as well. In addition to the state’s six-hour course, Bolen said students take an additional online curriculum focused on defensive driving and avoiding distractions. “We’re big on not being on the cellphone — big on being hands-free, voice-activated,” Bolen said. He emphasized that distracted driving is a concern for all drivers, not just teenagers. “Distracted driving is around us all the time, 24/7. Not just for a teenager but for someone who is driving and has been driving for a long time,” Bolen said. Distracted driving includes more than just phone use. It can involve activities like doing hair or makeup, reaching into the backseat, or eating while driving. Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Bolen noted that stricter requirements for obtaining a driver’s license in Florida would need to be addressed at the legislative level.To see if your child qualifies for a free lesson, click here.

In August of last year, Florida expanded its requirements for a driver’s permit, increasing instruction time from four to six hours and broadening the curriculum to a generalized “Driver Education Traffic Safety” course.

With car crashes being the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S., and distractions being a growing concern, some are asking if the changes are enough.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2019, drivers aged 15 to 20 were more distracted during fatal crashes than any other age group.

In Florida, drivers in their 20s accounted for 25% of all distracted driving crashes last year, making them the most likely age group to be distracted at the time of a crash.

“We tell the kids if you think you’re going to go through your entire life without getting involved in a crash, you would be a rarity,” said John Bolen, who has been teaching driver’s education for about 35 years.

In Florida, teens must hold a permit for a year and have a parent or guardian confirm they have practiced driving for 50 hours, including 10 hours at night, before obtaining a driver’s license.

Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News

However, practice is not mandated for individuals 18 or older.

“We are arguably one of the easiest states in the U.S. to get a driver’s license,” Bolen said. “There is no driver’s ed required as far as behind-the-wheel driving goes.”

Bolen runs A Treasure Coast Driving School, which partners with Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River County school districts to offer free behind-the-wheel lessons.

Charter and home-schooled students in Palm Beach and Indian River counties qualify for the free classes as well.

In addition to the state’s six-hour course, Bolen said students take an additional online curriculum focused on defensive driving and avoiding distractions.

“We’re big on not being on the cellphone — big on being hands-free, voice-activated,” Bolen said.

He emphasized that distracted driving is a concern for all drivers, not just teenagers.

“Distracted driving is around us all the time, 24/7. Not just for a teenager but for someone who is driving and has been driving for a long time,” Bolen said.

Distracted driving includes more than just phone use. It can involve activities like doing hair or makeup, reaching into the backseat, or eating while driving.

Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

Bolen noted that stricter requirements for obtaining a driver’s license in Florida would need to be addressed at the legislative level.

To see if your child qualifies for a free lesson, click here.