I could've placed this page in my section for kids and teens, but the information is more about the restrictions on teenaged drivers and why I feel the laws are getting a little too strict on new drivers and too lenient on other groups of drivers. Don't get me wrong. I fully believe in following the laws as written and I know they're provided for the safety of everyone; however, much of what we learn as teens should carry over to adulthood whether or not there are laws about those things. For now, I'll focus on some of the Pennsylvania laws with which I'm the most familiar.
      "Passengers in a vehicle being driven by a learner permit holder are limited to the number of seat belts in the vehicle." This rule seems to be out of place. Pennsylvania state law requires all passengers to wear a seat belt even when the driver has been licensed for many years. Until such time as the laws change, all drivers should only transport the number of passengers who can be properly belted in the vehicle and make sure those seat belts are being used correctly.
      Those "drivers with learner’s permits or junior driver’s licenses are banned from using cell phones or sending text messages while driving, unless they are reporting an emergency or accident". If cell phones are such a distraction they can't be used by teens, it's also true they distract experienced drivers and no one should be on a cell phone while driving.
      There may be an "additional $50 fine for all teen drivers who get cited for careless driving if they are driving erratically because of cell phones, text messaging, eating, grooming or reading". Once again, practice doesn't always make perfect. All of these things are distractions to all drivers, not just teens.
      With the exception of the rule pertaining to needing a licensed driver in the vehicle during day time operation, many of the rules applying to a driver with a permit are the same for those with a junior driver's license. Now, a driver in Pennsylvania does not receive a full license without restrictions until they reach the age of 18. Full license or not, teens are more likely to obey the laws because there is a greater chance they'll have their license revoked for breaking the laws. After receiving a license, they should be treated as adults regardless of their age and adults need to be subject to the same laws and fines as the teens.
      All teens need to obey these laws. As for parents and other drivers, if you want the kids to be safe drivers and obey the laws, set a good example by following the same rules when you're behind the wheel. Even if there are no kids in your car, set the example. Sure, the young drivers are supposed to be keeping their eyes on the road, but they do see what you're doing. Don't moan and complain about how bad the teen drivers are because you don't think they pay enough attention to what they're doing when you're doing exactly the same things they are while you're driving.
      The laws are getting more strict for teenaged drivers and more lenient on older drivers. At an age when these kids are considered responsible enough to care for younger children and adult enough to have jobs and join the military, they're still be treated as children when it comes to driving. Yet at the same time, older drivers are being permitted to act like children and get away with being irresponsible for their actions behind the wheel that cause so much death and destruction.