MINNEAPOLIS, April 29, 2008— On Monday, the Minnesota Senate advanced a provision that would would restrict newly licensed drivers under 18 from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and limit the number of young people accompanying them.

The teen driving restrictions, supported by the MMA, appear likely to become law. Gov. Tim Pawlenty supports the tougher requirement, and the House passed a similiar bill last week. 

Before the measure passed the House, MMA member Laurie Drill-Mellum, M.D., worked to persuade one lawmaker to support it when she toured the Capitol on April 24.

As a participant in Capitol Rounds, the MMA's program for getting physicians to meet with legislators and other officials, Drill-Mellum met with Rep. Paul Kohls, R-Victoria, and Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis. She also met with Rep. Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassan.

Drill-Mellum met with legislators to promote H.F.2628, the bill that would toughen Minnesota’s existing Graduated Drivers License law.

The bill says novice drivers would only be allowed to have one other person under age 20 years in the car. Teens under 18 would be barred from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. Novice drivers would also be prohibited from driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. and talking on cell phones, during their first six months behind the wheel. 

Tthe driver safety bill was her main concern. More youth are killed in car crashes than the next four causes of death combined, according to the 2005 Minnesota Department of Safety Crash Safety Report.

She offered legislators her perspective as an emergency room physician on the bill that would limit the number of passengers new teen drivers can carry in their vehicles.

Previously unconvinced on the issue, Rep. Kohls voted with the majority in the House that night to enact the new legislation.

Although it was her first Capitol Rounds, Drill-Mellum, who is a member of the board for MEDPAC, is no stranger to fighting for better public health. She played a role in securing the passage of Freedom to Breathe in the Legislature last spring, and has been part of other efforts as well.

Drill-Mellum also discussed the importance of using the Health Care Access to help those in need of health care, and not those in need of balancing the budget.

To make an advocacy event a teaching opportunity as well, Drill-Mellum brought along her exchange student houseguest Lars from Norway to show him how government works up close and personal.

Rep. Kohls gave Lars a tour of the House floor with the members still in session, and took a picture of him with the Speaker of the House in the chamber.

Want to know more about Capitol Rounds? To schedule your own personalized day at the Capitol that includes a tour and meetings with your lawmakers, contact the Capitol Rounds team at (612) 378-1875.