A LEADING East Lancashire magistrate has commended an American clampdown on teenage drivers aimed at cutting down on road accidents.

Ivan Smith, chairman of the Hyndburn Bench, read about new state laws being introduced in California while visiting his daughter, who lives in San Jose.

He has passed a copy of the newspaper to Hyndburn MP Greg Pope to pass on to Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

New traffic laws, aimed at improving safety on Californian state roads, include tougher requirements for rookie drivers to have an adult in the car with them.

Mr Smith said: "Some of the laws are excellent and I think they ought to be looked at." From this summer, new drivers under the age of 18 cannot drive with other teens in their car during the first six months, unless accompanied by a licensed adult who is 25 or older. For the second six months, they are restricted from driving between midnight and 5am without a licensed adult of at least 25.

Mr Smith said: "I think it's a good idea that young drivers who have just passed their test have to go out with an adult.

"If five teenagers go out in a car, the driver can be OK but the others can have been drinking.

"If they go silly they can encourage the driver to press on and drive faster."

New teen drivers in the state must also practice driving with a parent or guardian for 50 hours, 10 of them at night.

There are exemptions for driving to school, athletics events and jobs or driving with other family members.

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