LEBANON — Standing in front of the crowded Warren County juvenile courtroom Tuesday, 16-year-old Ryan Speaks got the sentence he dreaded — losing his license for 30 days as punishment for speeding and not wearing a seat belt.

        “I knew I was going to have to pay a fine, but I was hoping I wasn't going to lose it for 30 days,” said the junior at Springboro High School. “I think it's going to be very hard because I have to work and stuff.”

Ryan Speaks talks to his mother, Linda Speaks after losing his license for 30 days. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        Tuesday was the first day that most first-time speeders and those charged with seat belt violations automatically lost their license for 30 days and possibly up to two years, under a crackdown announced last week by Warren County Juvenile Judge Mike Powell.

        “We've always been concerned with safety — this isn't a new thing,” said Warren County Magistrate Kathy Kearin, who handed down the sentences in traffic court Tuesday. “... Hopefully, our new policy will be even more effective.”

        The decision to toughen penalties for teen speeders comes after seven Tristate teens, two in Warren County, died within two months and seven more were seriously injured Sept. 6 when a 1998 Explorer rolled in Clearcreek Township. The 16-year-old driver, who was charged with vehicular assault, lost control traveling at 93 mph, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers said.

        Until now, first-time teen speeders in Warren County typically did not face license suspension, Judge Powell said. On a teen's second moving violation, state law mandates a license suspension for 90 days.

        Judge Powell also plans to release speeders' names to the media, with hope that will help parents decide with whom their kids ride.

        “We need to try and do more to slow teen drivers down and persuade them to wear their safety belts,” he said.

        Several parents in court with their children Tuesday said they understood the court's reasoning. But they added that license suspension would cause problems in getting their teens to work, school and activities.

        “It's a little excessive,” said Ryan's mom, Linda Speaks. “It's punishing me and the family also because now I have to figure out how to get him to work. ... I don't know what I'm going to do.”

        Lynn Roy had similar feelings after her daughter's license was taken away.

        “She helped a lot with errands and everything,” the 38-year-old Mason resident said. “It basically will be an inconvenience for us.”

        Her daughter, Brittany, was clocked at 40 mph in a 25 mph residential area while she was headed to a friend's house Sept. 6.

        “I'm bummed about it,” said the 17-year-old Mason High School senior. “But I'm not going to ride the bus.”

        The court's new policy targets teens caught driving more than 70 mph, those who exceed the speed limit by 10 mph, and drivers who speed under risky conditions. The suspension applies to teen drivers who aren't wearing seat belts, don't enforce that rule for their passengers, or have more passengers than seat belts in their car.

        Lt. Mike Sanders, commander of the highway patrol's Lebanon post, thinks tougher penalties could change teen driving behavior.

        “If you're on the football team or a cheerleader or a teen-ager who has to drive himself to extracurricular activities, it can be a substantial deterrent to the behavior for a first-time offender,” he said. “That's what we're looking for.”

        Since Sept. 15, the highway patrol has increased patrols in and near school zones and at school events — including football games and dances — in an effort to stop teens from speeding.

        Other counties have taken a different approach.

        While the Butler County juvenile court hasn't adopted automatic license suspensions, Magistrate John Bruewer said he has been handing out a few more suspensions.

        Doug Brothers, Clermont County Juvenile Court administrator, said on average, teens face an $85 fine on their first offense. However, he cautioned that each first-time case is handled individually.

        “Up front, we identify the problem, as opposed to doing a broad-brush thing,” Mr. Brothers said. “We're taking a look at each kid that is coming in.”

        Sheila McLaughlin and Janice Morse contributed.
       

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