BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- The Maine State Department has been turning to the public in trying to find better ways to teach young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.
Secretary of State Charlie Summers has been holding a series of forums across the state. One held in Bangor on Tuesday night drew a good-size crowd to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at the Airport Mall.
In the last year, 50 fatal car crashes in Maine involved drivers under the age of 24. Speed and alcohol use contributed to some of the accidents.
Several people in attendance at Tuesday's meeting said that they feel teens are being licensed to drive without enough training behind the wheel. Currently young adults are required to complete at least 35 hours of driving experience and 5 hours of driving after dark.
Secretary Summers says that some parents want to see those numbers doubled.
"We're really trying to get the input of parents...of aunts and uncles..people who have a vested interest in this system and try to improve Maine's curriculum and they're doing a great job right now." he said, "We want to make it better so Maine has the best curriculum in the country."
Secretary Summers has formed a state technical review panel to take a look at the procedures teen drivers in Maine go through. That board will be considering ideas taken from the forums in the next few months.
NEWS CENTER