Lawmakers introduce proposal for driver's ed grant program

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin lawmakers introduced a bill that would require the state department of transportation to create a driver's education grant program.

Back in 2004, Wisconsin stopped paying for school districts to have driver's ed programs. Since then, families have been mostly financially responsible for putting their teens through driver's ed, an expense not everyone can afford.

State Representative Bob Donovan is a co-sponsor on the bill. "When I was a kid, everyone took driver's ed and might I add it was back then paid for entirely by the state," he said.

The proposal calls for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to create a driver's education grant program that would allow kids qualify for reduced or free lunch programs to request $400 that would pay for driver's ed.

"I think most people would agree that this is common sense. It's important that we teach our kids the rules of the road," said Donovan.

The bill would allot $6 million in the state budget for the driver's ed grant program. "We're taking $6 million that the insurance industry gives the state for things and we're reallocating it for driver's education," said Donovan.

The proposal comes as reckless driving continues to be a growing issue.

One Milwaukee mom says driver's education and reckless driving have a direct correlation.

"There is need for education on driver safety," said Gloria Shaw. Shaw lost her son Xavier Davis in August of 2022 in a hit-and-run near Fiserv Forum. Police are still looking for the driver.

Shaw agrees the state should make more investments in driver education, safety, and hold reckless drivers more accountable.

"More videos, more hands-on training, so that our kids and older adults that do want to go back learn how to get their license know what exactly the rules are....a lot of people don't know pedestrians do have the right of way," said Shaw.

Rep. Donovan says while this bill won't solve reckless driving, it could have long-term benefits by teaching the younger generation the dangers of driving reckless.

"The governor has already indicated he will sign it," he said.