The following Op-Ed appeared in the Journal Inquirer on July 1, 2010.

Report cards have been mailed and the diplomas have been handed out.  Summer vacation has started for Connecticut’s teenagers.  

Sadly, the joys that come with summer also come with the grim reality that these next few months are the deadliest time of year for teen drivers - more accidents, more serious injuries, and more deaths.  

As parents, we instinctively wish we could stand guard over our children every minute of every day, helping them to make good decisions and protecting them from the consequences of poor ones.

But life doesn’t work like that – especially when it comes to teenagers.  As our kids grow older, they develop independence and try new things.  That can be a source of great pride – and great worry.

That moment when an excited teenager jumps behind the wheel of a car represents one of the most nerve-wracking moments parents can face.  Every parent of a new driver feels a little anxious when their teen is out and the phone rings.  Whether it’s a nicked fender, a speeding ticket, or something much more tragic, teenagers too often find trouble on the roads.  

We can’t ride shotgun every time our kids take the wheel.  But we can put in place policies that discourage dangerous driving by establishing a graduated process in which teenagers gain experience on the road before they gain new driving privileges.

Connecticut was one of the first states in the country to enact strict requirements that will save lives and ease the worst fears of parents.  But we cannot afford to wait for other states to follow our lead.

That’s why I’ve led the fight for the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act--the STANDUP Act.  It’s a common-sense piece of legislation designed in consultation with parents, law enforcement, and highway safety advocates.  And, if passed, it can go a long way towards ensuring that our teens stay as safe as possible on the roads.

The STANDUP Act would establish minimum requirements for state laws governing drivers’ licenses.

First, it would require states to set up a phased system for earning a full license.  Teenagers would first get a learner’s permit no earlier than age 16 – then gradually earn new privileges until they are fully licensed no earlier than age 18.  This would ensure that fully licensed drivers not only have the life experience, but also the road experience to drive safely and make good decisions.

Second, it would impose common-sense restrictions on teenage drivers.  Until they turn 18, teens would be prohibited from driving unsupervised at night.  No more than one non-familial passenger under the age of 21 would be allowed in the car unless a licensed driver over the age of 21 is also present.  And teen drivers would be strictly prohibited from using cell phones or texting behind the wheel.

Third, the STANDUP Act would allow the Secretary of Transportation to impose further requirements, such as a minimum duration of six months with a learner’s permit.

States that adopt these minimum guidelines will be rewarded with eligibility for incentive grants.  States that don’t will face cuts in federal highway funding.

These aren’t draconian rules.  Rather, they are common-sense guidelines to ensure that our kids become experienced, safe drivers before they acquire all the privileges of a full driver’s license.  

Accidents happen, even tragic ones.  I’ve met with Connecticut parents who have lost their children in deadly car accidents, including Sherry Chapman of Coventry, CT, a founder of !MPACT, an organization dedicated to ending tragic accidents caused by inexperience drivers. These families have suffered a loss that no other family should have to experience.

And while we can’t always be there to help our kids make the right decisions, we can do more to protect them and help them become safer drivers.

I’ve been proud to lead the fight on behalf of parents in Connecticut and across the country who only want to keep their children safe. But I will be leaving the Senate next year.  And it is my hope that Congress will find the courage to pass the STANDUP Act, so that next summer parents will be able to breathe a little easier when their kids get behind the wheel.