Driving Ambition

Summary

The video script addresses the serious issue of teenage driving safety in Georgia, highlighting the introduction of tougher driving laws to save lives. It tells the poignant story of Joshua Brown, whose untimely death in a car accident led to the establishment of the Joshua Brown Foundation and the implementation of Joshua's Law, requiring certified driver's education for all sixteen-year-olds. The script also underscores the consequences of reckless driving, including DUIs, speeding, and seat belt non-use, emphasizing the importance of responsible behavior on the road to prevent tragedies.

Takeaways

• 🚨 **Serious Medicine for a Serious Problem:** The script emphasizes the introduction of strict driving laws to combat the high rate of teenage car crash fatalities.
• 🛣️ **Car Crashes as Leading Cause of Teen Deaths:** It highlights that car crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers, with over 5,000 teens dying each year on roads and highways.
• 🔄 **The Impact of Georgia's Driving Laws:** Since the implementation of Georgia's driving laws in 1997, thousands of licenses have been revoked, and hundreds of lives have been saved.
• 🏠 **Personal Stories of Loss:** The script shares the tragic story of Joshua Brown, whose parents founded the Joshua Brown Foundation to improve driver's education after his death in a car crash.
• 🚘 **The Need for Professional Driver's Education:** It stresses the importance of professional driver's education to teach young drivers crucial skills that parents may not know.
• 📈 **New Legislation and Its Effects:** The script discusses the introduction of tougher laws that require teen drivers to prove their readiness and responsibility on the road.
• 🚫 **Zero Tolerance Policy:** It mentions Georgia's zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving, where any detectable alcohol level can lead to a suspended license.
• 🏫 **School Provisions in Driving Laws:** The script explains how school attendance and behavior are linked to driving privileges, with violations leading to license suspensions.
• 🚷 **Graduated Driver's License System:** It outlines Georgia's graduated driver's license system, which includes restrictions and requirements for young drivers to progress to full driving privileges.
• 🔒 **Consequences of Irresponsible Behavior:** The script describes the severe consequences faced by teens who engage in reckless driving, including license suspension, jail time, and life-altering injuries.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the law mentioned in the script?

The main purpose of the law is to save lives by enforcing stricter regulations on teen drivers, ensuring they are responsible and prepared for the challenges of driving.

What is the significance of the number '5,000' mentioned in the script?

The number '5,000' signifies the approximate annual death toll of teenagers in car crashes, highlighting the severity of teen driving accidents.

What is the impact of Georgia's driving laws since 1997 as mentioned in the script?

Since the implementation of Georgia's driving laws in 1997, thousands of licenses have been revoked, and hundreds of lives have been saved due to the tougher regulations.

What is the story of Joshua Brown mentioned in the script, and why is it significant?

Joshua Brown was a teenager who was tragically killed in a car accident. His story is significant because it led to the establishment of the Joshua Brown Foundation and the introduction of Joshua's Law, which mandates certified driver's education for all sixteen-year-olds in Georgia.

What is the Joshua Brown Foundation, and what does it aim to achieve?

The Joshua Brown Foundation was started by Joshua's parents to change driver's education in Georgia. It aims to ensure that every teen driver has access to high-quality, professional driver's education to prevent accidents and save lives.

What are the consequences for teen drivers who violate the new laws in Georgia as described in the script?

Consequences for teen drivers who violate the new laws include license revocation, mandatory completion of a defensive driving course, payment of a restoration fee, and in some cases, jail time for DUI offenses.

What is the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (House Bill 681), and how does it affect teen drivers?

The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act, or House Bill 681, is a law that imposes strict penalties on drivers under 21 for various violations, including DUI, reckless driving, and speeding. Violators can lose their licenses and face other legal consequences.

How does Georgia's graduated driver's license system work as explained in the script?

Georgia's graduated driver's license system requires teens to start with an instruction permit at 15, progress to a Class D license after passing a driver's education course and a driving test, and finally obtain a Class C license at 18 with a clean driving record, signifying full driving privileges.

What is the 'zero tolerance' policy mentioned in the script, and how does it apply to underage drivers?

The 'zero tolerance' policy in Georgia implies that any driver under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or higher is considered guilty of DUI, leading to an automatic six-month license suspension, regardless of whether they are legally able to consume alcohol.

What message does the script convey about the responsibility of driving and the choices made by teen drivers?

The script emphasizes that driving is a significant responsibility that comes with the choice to either save lives or cause harm. It stresses the importance of making safe and responsible choices while driving to prevent accidents and fatalities.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 The Impact of Strict Driving Laws on Teen Safety

This paragraph introduces the serious issue of teen driving safety, emphasizing the life-saving potential of strict driving laws. It highlights the tragic reality of car crashes being the leading cause of death among teenagers, with over 5,000 teens dying each year. The narrative focuses on the story of Joshua Brown, a teenager who died in a car accident, and his parents' efforts to promote safer driving through the Joshua Brown Foundation. The foundation advocates for professional driver's education to prepare teen drivers for the responsibilities and challenges of the road.

05:00

🏫 Enhancing Driver's Education in Georgia

The paragraph delves into the efforts of Alan Brown to reform driver's education in Georgia following his son's fatal car crash. It discusses the introduction of Joshua's Law, which mandates every 16-year-old in Georgia to pass a certified driver's education class to obtain a driver's license. The law aims to equip young drivers with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle real-life driving conditions, potentially preventing accidents. The paragraph also touches on the emotional journey of Alan Brown as he visits the site of his son's accident and the lasting legacy of Joshua's life.

10:02

🚔 Law Enforcement's Crackdown on Irresponsible Teen Drivers

This section discusses the enforcement of strict driving laws targeting teen drivers in Georgia, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities. It outlines the consequences of violating these laws, such as license revocation and mandatory driving courses. The narrative includes a court scene where several teens face the loss of their driving privileges, emphasizing the real-life impact of irresponsible driving. The paragraph also recounts a tragic accident that claimed the lives of five teenagers, underscoring the severity of the issue and the community's response.

15:05

🚧 The Dangers of Speeding and Reckless Driving

The paragraph highlights the dangers of speeding and reckless driving among teenagers, illustrating the potential consequences with real-life examples. It discusses the story of Joel Wiggins, who caused a fatal accident due to drag racing, and the severe penalties he faced, including a 12-year prison sentence. The narrative also features Ben Murphy, a teenager who became a wheelchair user after a car accident involving a reckless driver. The paragraph serves as a cautionary tale, urging teens to consider the life-altering outcomes of their driving choices.

20:05

📜 Georgia's Graduated Driver's License System

This section outlines Georgia's graduated driver's license system, which is designed to gradually introduce teen drivers to the responsibilities of driving. It explains the stages of the system, starting from the instruction permit at age 15, moving to the Class D license at 16 after completing a certified driver education course, and finally the Class C license at 18 with no restrictions. The paragraph also covers school provisions that can affect a teen's driving privileges, such as attendance and behavior, and the zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving.

25:05

🚦 The Responsibility and Consequences of Teen Driving

The final paragraph reinforces the message that obtaining a driver's license is a privilege that comes with significant responsibility. It emphasizes the choices that teen drivers make and the potential life-or-death consequences of those choices. The narrative suggests that with proper preparation and education, teen drivers can make safer decisions on the road. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the importance of responsible driving for both personal safety and the well-being of others.

Keywords

💡Driver's Education

Driver's Education refers to the training and education provided to individuals, particularly teenagers, to prepare them for driving safely and responsibly. In the video, it is highlighted as a crucial component in preventing car accidents among teens. The script mentions that every sixteen-year-old in Georgia has to pass a certified driver's education course to get their driver's license, emphasizing its importance in ensuring that young drivers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle real-life driving scenarios.

💡Car Crashes

Car crashes are accidents that occur on roads and highways involving motor vehicles. The video underscores car crashes as the leading cause of death for teenagers, with over 5,000 teens dying each year. The script uses the term to illustrate the severity of the issue and the need for stringent driving laws and education to mitigate such incidents. It also recounts personal stories, such as Joshua Brown's, to drive home the emotional and societal impact of these crashes.

💡Teenage Driver Responsibility Act

The Teenage Driver Responsibility Act, also known as House Bill 681, is a piece of legislation in Georgia that imposes stricter rules and regulations on teen drivers. The video discusses this act as a measure to enhance road safety by holding young drivers accountable for their actions. It includes penalties for various violations like DUI, reckless driving, and speeding, which are common among inexperienced drivers. The script mentions that the law aims to prevent reckless behavior and save lives by ensuring that teen drivers understand the consequences of their actions.

💡Zero Tolerance

Zero Tolerance is a policy approach that mandates strict consequences for individuals who violate certain rules, with no exceptions made regardless of intent or severity. In the context of the video, Georgia's zero-tolerance law for underage drinking and driving means that any driver under 21 with a blood alcohol content of 0.02% or higher is considered guilty of DUI. This policy is highlighted as a deterrent to prevent underage drinking and driving, which are significant factors in car crashes among teenagers.

💡Graduated Driver's License

A Graduated Driver's License is a system that allows new drivers to gain experience and skills progressively, with certain restrictions in place to ensure safety. The video explains that in Georgia, this system includes an instruction permit, a Class D license with restrictions, and eventually a Class C license without restrictions once the driver turns 18 and maintains a safe driving record. This approach is shown as a method to gradually prepare young drivers for full driving privileges while minimizing risks associated with inexperience.

💡Distracted Driving

Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts a driver's attention from the primary task of driving, which can significantly increase the risk of accidents. The video script mentions this as a common issue among young drivers, who might be easily distracted by peers, electronic devices, or other factors. The script implies that driver's education and responsible driving practices are necessary to combat this problem and ensure that teen drivers stay focused on the road.

💡Speeding

Speeding is the act of driving a vehicle at a speed greater than the posted speed limit or at a speed that is not reasonable or prudent under the circumstances. The video emphasizes speeding as a leading cause of car accidents among teenagers, with the script providing examples of how high speeds can lead to fatal outcomes. The Teenage Driver Responsibility Act in Georgia addresses this issue by imposing strict penalties on speeding, aiming to deter teens from engaging in this dangerous behavior.

💡Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a term used to describe driving behavior that is dangerous and shows willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property. In the video, reckless driving is highlighted as a significant issue among young drivers, often resulting in severe consequences such as accidents and fatalities. The script recounts a story of a young driver who, due to reckless driving, caused a fatal accident, illustrating the devastating impact of such behavior.

💡Seat Belts

Seat belts are safety restraints designed to secure the occupants of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result during a collision or a sudden stop. The video script underscores the importance of wearing seat belts, as not wearing them can lead to severe injuries or death in the event of a car crash. It uses the example of Ben Murphy, who became a wheelchair user after a car wreck where he was not wearing a seat belt, to stress the life-saving potential of this simple safety measure.

💡DUI (Driving Under the Influence)

DUI, or Driving Under the Influence, refers to operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. The video script discusses Georgia's strict laws against DUI, especially for underage drivers, where any detectable amount of alcohol can result in a DUI charge. The script uses DUI as a focal point to discuss the severe legal consequences and the potential for causing harm to oneself and others, emphasizing the message that drinking and driving is unacceptable and dangerous.

Highlights

The introduction of new laws aims to save lives by addressing the serious issue of teenage driving safety.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, with over 5,000 teens dying each year on roads and highways.

Since 1997, Georgia's driving laws have led to thousands of licenses being revoked and hundreds of lives saved.

New legislation requires teen drivers to prove their readiness and preparedness for the responsibility of driving.

The story of Joshua Brown, a teenager killed in a car crash, highlights the importance of responsible driving education.

The Joshua Brown foundation was established to change driver's education in Georgia and prevent similar tragedies.

Joshua's Law mandates that every sixteen-year-old in Georgia must pass a certified driver's education class to get a license.

Georgia law enforcement is committed to removing dangerous and irresponsible drivers from the roads.

The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (House Bill 681) imposes strict penalties for violations such as DUI, speeding, and reckless driving.

The documentary shares real-life stories of teenagers who have lost their lives or faced severe consequences due to irresponsible driving.

The impact of a single car accident on a community is profound, as seen in the tragic loss of five teenagers in Putnam County.

Speeding is identified as a major cause of fatal accidents among teen drivers, with emphasis on the importance of responsible speed.

The documentary stresses the life-altering consequences of reckless driving, as seen in the case of Joel Wiggins, who caused a fatal accident.

Ben Murphy's story illustrates the long-term effects of a car accident, emphasizing the importance of wearing seat belts.

Georgia's graduated driver's license system is explained, detailing the steps and restrictions for teen drivers.

The 'zero tolerance' policy for underage drinking and driving is discussed, with automatic license suspension for even minimal BAC levels.

The documentary concludes with a call to action for teenagers to understand the responsibility that comes with driving and the potential consequences of their choices.

Transcripts

you

this is serious medicine for a serious

problem the bottom line is that with

this law is going to save lives in this

state we're not out there to keep kids

from having fun we're simply out there

to keep kids safe to be able to grow up

and enjoy life and to live to their full

potential

[Music]

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the drive

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check

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twisted metal broken glass and body bags

despite the constant reminders of how

dangerous driving can be the carnage

continues car crashes are the leading

cause of death for teenagers more than

5,000 teens die each year on our roads

and highways

[Music]

since George's driving laws were passed

in 1997 thousands of licenses have been

revoked and hundreds of lives have been

saved the old laws are tough but the new

laws are even tougher new legislation

makes teen drivers proof they are ready

for the responsibility and prepared for

the possibilities Tom Corvin has the

story of one Georgia family that

believed they did everything right to

prepare their son to drive but

tragically discovered their efforts were

not enough Allen and lugina Brown only

had 17 years with their son Joshua and

most of it was spent right here on their

family land near Cartersville this is

where they worked and played where the

Browns pointed their only boy in the

direction of responsibility and success

but that short time together is a blur

now in the land that once marked the

future now marks the passing of a son

killed in a car crash

well I'm missing three years have passed

and the Browns still break down every

day this garden in their son's memory

lessons the grieving a little but

everything they do now is in the name of

Joshua Brown what I'm trying to prevent

is pain from Mama and Daddy

I don't want anybody to live like we

live I don't want nobody to have to go

through what we've been through highway

41 July 3rd 2003 Joshua is on his way to

pick up a buddy for band practice his

truck hydroplanes in the rain he loses

control and goes off the road hitting

this tree that still bears his name and

his father's memory of their last

conversation on the phone and he said

dad and I said yeah

he said I love you and I said I love you

too Josh that's last word for said HEV

Josh never came out of a coma and died

six days later

and it's just a big emptiness it's the

ultimate misery it's the worst thing

that could happen to somebody especially

for two parents so close to their child

he's just a little boy and he had been

eating spaghetti and I was cleaning him

up and that's how the Browns raised

their boy the family photo albums full

of it

few pictures of a clean-cut kid growing

up in the country smiling as he ran on

the family land learning lessons of life

a father teaches his young son

in hindsight I did everything right but

one thing and he paid the ultimate price

for that Alan brown taught Josh to play

football sports was another reflection

of life's lessons but the trophies also

remind him of his loss he taught Josh

how to drive and explain the rules of

the road but it wasn't enough when it

counted

that's a guilt that's the guilt that I

live with and it's not easy and that's

why Alan Brown sat down and started the

Joshua Brown foundation he wanted to

change driver's education in Georgia you

have to be taught by professional you

have to learn things that mother and

daddy probably don't know and they're

learning those things at Coors Field hi

Jacob do you ever get distracted when

you're riding in a friend's away.the in

his sons old school is a model of what

he believes is needed a high-tech

classroom that'll keep you from flooding

back with real-life conditions have

y'all been to the black ice portion yet

a chance to learn life-saving lessons

the Georgia General Assembly agreed to

make it law Joshua's law and now every

sixteen-year-old in Georgia has to pass

a certified class to get their driver's

license

you never invest anything better

than your child's driver's education he

believed his father could do anything

and I think with that said Alan feels

like Joshua was saying daddy you can do

this but what Alan Brown hasn't been

able to do is go back to where it all

started for a long time wouldn't come

this way not until now of course you can

see it's straight downhill it's almost a

90 degree drop in Ellen Browns heart

drops with it when he sees what's still

here faded signs of his son rusty

reminders of the impact on that fatal

day his pants they had to cut off with

him

bless his heart and this is why Alan

Brown wants every Georgia teen driver to

have access to driver's education

I'm so sorry son so other parents don't

have to say they're sorry too this is my

last Father's Day present from Joshua

it's a music box

and it plays my hero and Alan Brown is

still trying to be a hero to his son the

tears may never stop but its angelic

symbols like this that confirmed their

belief in God and their life's mission

he knew how to get to his daddy's heart

and Joshua Brown always will I'm sorry

I'm so sorry he took my son and I'm so

sorry but I know what Joshua Browns life

was short but his legacy will last

forever now every sixteen-year-old who

wants a driver's license will have to

pass a certified driver's education

course driver inexperienced continues to

be the leading cause of traffic

fatalities for teenagers the Joshua

Brown foundation is working hard to

change that

[Music]

every year thousands of Georgia teens

lose their privilege to drive Georgia

law enforcement is committed to getting

dangerous and irresponsible drivers off

the road

here's sake on Simba and Eric Wingate

with a look at those efforts across the

state cops are cracking down on

irresponsible teen drivers and courts

are showing no mercy if you have a

driving ambition you better be ready to

obey the new law

[Music]

how do we driver's license is a

privilege if you can't handle it or you

do things that are not responsible

enough we don't need you on the road the

driver and passenger were declared dead

on the scene two people dead in fun

I pretty much not too little insensitive

me you know this family's loss is just

impossible to overstate well most of the

sixteen year olds think they're

invincible they go down a road and the

next thing you know they have a tree

sticking out next to them in the

passenger side right back here from he

was at one of our classes that we taught

at Dunwoody high school don't look at it

I want you to turn and walk or what I

want you to do is take a deep breath

blow hard what I'm gonna do right now is

place you under arrest for driving under

the influence of alcohol it doesn't

appear like he learned his lesson to get

anything at all that your pockets take

it out and put it up here take your

shoes off right there the feeling of

having your freedom taken away for the

first time not being able to move where

you want to know is scary enough you

might not think we're gonna get you but

there's enough of us out here we're

going to get you

and we're gonna lock you up the docket

at Clayton County Juvenal traffic court

is full today all right some y'all are

gonna have to come up front of the rail

and stand or sit before this session is

over nine more teams will lose their

drivers licenses so you cannot get a

limited permit to go to school or work

you cannot drive for six months judge

Tracie gladden is presiding pending your

license and taking away driver's

licenses 16 year-old Eric Bayliss lost

his license in Clayton County - I was

going down the interstate and I was

going about 97 miles an hour and 65 so I

was 32 over but Eric lost more than his

license I had a girlfriend for a while

but once I lost my license you know time

went down that's that

and now um you know in high school

people don't like the parents take home

places as uh and Eric has learned a

lesson that will make a lasting

impression I could have killed me or the

person that was in the car with me so it

was definitely the wrong time to be

doing this I said I'm not ever gonna do

it camera all right make sure you hear

it one didn't yep MA George's new

driving laws are taking thousands of

teen drivers off the roads the law is

known as the teenage and adult Driver

Responsibility Act or House bill 681 for

short if you want to drive in the state

of Georgia you better know what it means

and obey what it says if you're under 21

years old you will lose your license if

you're convicted of committing any one

of these violations DUI hit and run

leaving the scene of an accident racing

fleeing or attempting to elude police

reckless driving speeding 24 or more

miles per hour over the speed limit any

violation in which four points are

charged and attempting to purchase

alcohol as a minor if you lose your

license for any of these violations then

you have to pass your driving test again

take a defensive driving course and pay

a restoration fee you may think losing

your license is the worst thing that can

happen to you but every year in Georgia

more than 200 teenagers lose their lives

and car wrecks chances are you've known

someone a friend a relative or a

classmate who was killed in a car

accident the shock is painful the sorrow

is everlasting but for one Georgia

community the loss is impossible to

measure

hundreds of people are filling the high

school football stadium in Eatonton

Georgia but no games will be played here

tonight this crowd isn't coming to cheer

they're coming to more

[Music]

shortly after 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning

the Putnam can it was broken broken by a

horrible accident that was the end of

life for John Davis Jonathan Gordon Tony

Oliver Bryan Young's and Jason Hart

they were about six firemen here and

three of my deputies in 23 years of law

enforcement Putnam County Sheriff Howard

sills had never seen a single car

accident produced so much death Jeep was

turned up sideways and there were it was

a massive fire burned bodies right there

huddled together this is all that's left

of that Jeep after running off the road

and into a ditch it was launched into

the air and then slammed it up against

the tree like that what used to be just

another shade tree is a roadside

memorial a place for friends to remember

a place for families to more

five Putnam County families mourn the

loss of a son now Jason Hardy was the

son of Richard and Julia the first

parents to learn their boy was dead as

the people are real close to that it had

passed away and it affected me but not

nothing like my child

just anyone same page Richard Hardy does

his best to stay focused on his bond now

it's just a cycle fighting because of it

because I miss him so much

but his chores rarely block his memories

of Jason yeah I remember running around

the house was scary and I can remember I

mean from the very first day he was born

[Music]

the hardy family is even closer than

doing their best to fill the gap left by

Jason who brought so much life to their

household yet seem to predict his own

death in this home video Jason was a

happy member of a happy family he made

it a point to never say goodbye to his

mother without a hug

a ritual he somehow forgot the night of

his death he said he'd either be home by

12:00 maybe even 11:30 not that well

that's okay I could have heard mom with

you

you know how devastating the combination

of drinking and driving can be but did

you know there's something else teen

drivers do every day that's far more

deadly it kills three times as many

teenagers and causes four times as many

accidents keep doing this and your

license could be gone in a flash

trooper Mike Kensi may have saved four

lives when he pulled over this car full

of teenagers is there any kind of reason

why you're running this fast you don't

know how fast you're running I checked

you 202 trooper Kensi knows how

dangerous speeding really is just as

what's causing problems this is what's

getting people killed running 102 miles

an hour down the road no seat belts on

ranking us that's not any way to conduct

business and especially not in the state

of Georgia every time you get behind the

wheel you accept a huge responsibility

not only for your own life but for the

lives of other people on the road it's

the power of life and death right in

your own hands I wasn't prepared to

accept something like this or even be

involved in something like that much

less be responsible for something like

this

responsibility it was the last thing on

Joel Wiggins mind that's ammonite seven

years ago at 19 he and three other

underaged guys didn't think twice about

drinking at a party piling into a car

and drag racing down Atlanta's Ponce de

Leon Avenue and just you know as soon as

I swerved about this far over the line

in that Mazda for adults Joel Wiggins

reckless driving killed three of them

leaving four children without parents I

never really stopped to consider the

effect my choices would actually have on

people around prison guards and wardens

make all of Joe's choices now he got 12

years in prison for taking those three

lives now his life is nothing but steel

bars loneliness and lots of tough time

to fill the burden of his guilt mourn

the lives he ruined and regret his own

young dreams lost look at my life my

choice and when I got from making my

choices and ask yourself if you can

accept you can't accept them don't make

the same choices

been Murphy's choices are limited these

days - I miss my legs I miss being able

to walk around the Atlanta teenager got

this way in a bad car wreck

he admits by not wearing a seat belt he

was driving just as foolishly as the

speeding team who hit him

your life can change in a matter of

seconds you can go from being completely

normal walking around to being in a

wheelchair like me imagine at your age

always needing someone to help you with

the little everyday things you take for

granted like being able to scratch my

head or go to the bathroom by myself

Ben has advice for you that he wishes he

had heard and listened to don't be

reckless and foolish

buckle up wear your seat belt you know

may not seem cool or whatever but it can

save your life and it can prevent

serious injuries

Ben Murphy will pay the rest of his life

for the mistake of another teen driver

but now reckless driving and

irresponsible behavior on the roads

won't be tolerated in Georgia Georgia's

license system is making teens prove

they're responsible enough to drive it's

known as a graduated driver's license

when you turn 15 years old you can get

an instruction permit you have to pass a

written exam and you can only drive with

another licensed adult driver over the

age of 21 you have to have this permit

and maintain a safe driving record to

move on to the next level of license

that's known as a Class D license

remember if you're 16 years old

you must pass a certified driver

education course before you can get your

Class D license

you have to pass a behind the wheel

driving test and there are driving

restrictions you cannot drive between

midnight and 6:00 a.m. no exceptions and

during the first six months you can't

drive with any passengers other than

immediate family members to move to the

next level you have to keep a safe

driving record for 12 straight months

and you have to be 18 years old that's

when you can get a Class C license you

have now earned the privilege to drive

without restrictions Georgia's graduated

license system has school provisions you

really need to understand no one under

18 can get a driver's license or

instruction permit unless they are in

school or have graduated if you drop out

of school or have 10 or more days of

unexcused absences during the school

year your license will be suspended

you'll also lose your license if you

threaten or strike anyone at school if

you have drugs or alcohol on school

property commit any sexual offense or if

you bring a weapon on school grounds if

you do any of those things you can lose

your license until your 18th birthday

each year more than 10,000 Georgia

students lose their licenses because of

school violations the clear message

behind Georgia's driving laws if you're

not responsible enough to stay in school

you're not responsible enough to be

behind the wheel

when's the last time you went to a party

and you and your friends were drinking

alcohol you may think having a couple

beers or a drink is okay but now in

Georgia even one beer can cost you your

driver's license

it's called zero tolerance and what it

means is that anyone under the age of 21

is guilty of DUI if their blood alcohol

content is point zero two or higher you

will lose your license automatically for

six months if your blood alcohol content

is between point zero two and point zero

seven and remember if you are under 21

you can also lose your license for

simply trying to purchase alcohol if

your blood alcohol content is point zero

eight or more you will lose your license

for a whole year if you are under 18

years old you won't be able to move to

the next level in the graduated license

system in fact you'll have to start over

at the very beginning take all the tests

attend DUI school perform community

service and pay fines and license

restoration fees it's obvious drinking

and driving will cost you in Georgia but

the new law will send you to jail to a

mandatory sentence any driver regardless

of age convicted of DUI with a blood

alcohol content of point zero eight or

more will go to jail for at least 24

hours

[Music]

the day you've been waiting for the day

you gain your freedom but it's also the

day you accept enormous responsibility

if you're prepared Richard Warner is

cramming for an exam these are the new

graduated laws Richard and his mom is

helping it says you lose your license

you're on the bus or you're on Marta or

your hoof in it with your two feet this

is one line Richard and other Georgia

teens have looked forward to standing

at the end weights a ticket to

independence popularity and fun but

before they can call themselves licensed

drivers and passionately

they have to pass the test

Richard's prepared for his test he's

finished a defensive driving class and

his mom has spent time teaching him how

to maneuver the family car some kids

aren't that lucky there are three times

more likely to get into a crash than

other drivers on the road and the bottom

line is experience and you can't teach

experience but you can help them gain it

hey how's it going and a few hours going

over the fundamentals that could be more

than educational it could be life-saving

are you ready for the responsibility of

driving having a driver's license isn't

a right it's a privilege that has to be

earned every time you get behind the

wheel you have a choice to make and your

choices have consequences while you're

driving cost lives or save lives

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some friends

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it's a major

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