Bill Would Ban Ohio Teens From Driving Buddies

A Republican state lawmaker is proposing tough new driving restrictions on Ohio teens, including prohibiting them from transporting even one additional teenager.

State Rep. Rick Perales, of Beavercreek, tells The Columbus Dispatch his bill would bring Ohio’s rules closer to the recommendations of safety groups.

Besides banning teen buddies, it would require backseat passengers to wear a seat belt and push back Ohio’s teen driving curfew from midnight to 10 p.m. Teens engaged in work and school activities would be exempt from the new night rules.

Caitlyn Pitts, a 15-year-old from Gahanna, says barring teens from traveling together to sports practices or to the movies is “kind of defeating the purpose” of having a license.

Current Ohio law allows 16-year-old drivers to transport one unrelated passenger of any age.