(1) The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that: (a) Teenage drivers, in order to become safe and responsible drivers, need behind-the- wheel driving experience before they can begin to drive without restrictions; (b) Providing additional behind-the-wheel training with a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult before obtaining a minor driver's license is the beginning of the young driver's accumulation of experience; (c) Once a teenage driver begins to drive without a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult in the vehicle, it is necessary to place restrictions on a teenage driver who holds a minor driver's license until such driver turns eighteen years of age in order to give that driver time to exercise good judgment in the operation of a vehicle while keeping that driver, his or her passengers, and the public safe; (d) Penalties for the violation of these restrictions on minor drivers under eighteen years of age, including the assessment of points where they may not otherwise be assessed, should be sufficient to ensure that chronic violations would result in swift and severe repercussions to reinforce the importance of obeying the driving laws in order to keep the minor driver, his or her passengers, and the public safe. (2) Repealed. (3) Occupants in motor vehicles driven by persons under eighteen years of age shall be properly restrained or wear seat belts as required in sections 42-4-236 and 42-4-237. (4) No more than one passenger shall occupy the front seat of the motor vehicle driven by a person under eighteen years of age, and the number of passengers in the back seat of such vehicle shall not exceed the number of seat belts. (5) (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (5), any person who violates this section commits a class A traffic infraction. (b) A violation of subsection (3) of this section is a traffic infraction, and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 42-4-1701 (4)(a)(I)(D), a person convicted of violating subsection (3) of this section shall be punished as follows: (I) By the imposition of not less than eight hours nor more than twenty-four hours of community service for a first offense and not less than sixteen hours nor more than forty hours of community service for a subsequent offense; (II) By the levying of a fine of not more than sixty-five dollars for a first offense, a fine of not more than one hundred thirty dollars for a second offense, and a fine of one hundred ninety-five dollars for a subsequent offense; and (III) By an assessment of two license suspension points pursuant to section 42-2-127 (5)(hh).
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