The New York State Senate recently passed legislation that will toughen teen driving laws.

Not only will it be illegal for drivers of all ages to text message while driving, but the bill further requires that a learner's permit be held for at least 6 months before a junior license can be obtained. In addition, if there is no adult in the vehicle with a junior driver, the number of non-family members allowed in the vehicle is reduced to one.

Many of us have been affected by the recent news involving three area teens killed in car accidents, as well as the five area teens killed last year as a result of texting while driving. As parents, we often worry about the safety of our young adults, particularly when they are driving with their friends.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Institute, in 2007, New York State reported 236 fatalities involving teen drivers. They also found that two-thirds of fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers were in cars with teen passengers.

"It is encouraging that New York State is doing something to try to prevent teenage driver fatalities," states attorney Ross Cellino.

If Governor Paterson signs this bill, the text messaging ban will take effect on November 1, 2009 and will ban both text messaging and transmission of e-mails while driving. Drivers are still permitted to use hands-free devices to talk while driving.