Six months after his teenage son died from injuries he received in a car crash, Montgomery County Police Capt. Thomas C. Didone is fulfilling his vow to push for stricter regulations for teen drivers.
Didone joined members of Congress in front of the U.S. Capitol today to announce national legislation that would encourage states to adopt uniform graduated-license laws. The bill is known as the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2009, or the STANDUP Act.
"On the night of Oct. 20 [2008], my life's work came into screaming reality," said Didone, commander of the county police department's 5th District station. "Ryan was a car-seat kid. He always wore a seat belt and never had to be told. But on that night, he made a mistake; he didn't buckle up."
Didone's son, Ryan, 15, was traveling with four other teens from a Christian youth group meeting to a Burger King three miles away in Damascus when the crash occurred.
Police later determined that Zachary Kimble, 18, a senior at Damascus High School, was driving at least 55 miles per hour — and possibly faster — in a 35 mph zone when he lost control of the Volvo station wagon on Hawkins Creamery Road and the car hit two trees. The other passengers were seriously injured.
Kimble, who was 17 at the time, did not have legal permission to drive without an experienced adult chaperone, according to conditions of his provisional driver's license. A police report on the crash states he was also uninsured, which is illegal for Maryland drivers.
Police gave Kimble five traffic citations, including citations for speeding and negligent driving. He pleaded guilty and paid $710 in fines.
"It's too late for my son Ryan," Didone said, standing just feet from the mangled Volvo. "But it's not too late for thousands of other children who deserve to live long and healthy lives."
If enacted, states would be required to have a three-step license process that would give teens a full license when they turned 18, prohibit nighttime driving during the learner's permit stage, restrict passengers during the learner's permit and intermediate stages, and prohibit non-emergency use of cell phones.
As an incentive, states would be eligible for up to $25 million in grants for the first three years following enactment of the STANDUP Act.
A portion of federal highway construction funds could be withheld from states that do not comply by Oct. 1, 2012.
U.S. Rep. Christopher Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8) of Kensington, who is the father of two teenage drivers, stressed the importance of educating young people before they get behind the wheel.
"Our teens are literally taking their lives into their own hands," he said. "We need laws that are designed to make sure our young people are fully prepared."
Turning to Didone, he added, "I can't think of someone who can better bring this message to all of America."
