Dodge County Sheriff Steve Hespen is issuing a friendly reminder to young drivers, as well as their parents.
The Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP) allows an individual to operate a motor vehicle unsupervised in Nebraska from 6 a.m. to midnight. Individuals may drive anytime if they are accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driver who is at least 21.
Youths may apply for the (POP) 60 days before their 16th birthday, however, the permit will not be issued until on or after their birthday.
“We want to make everyone is aware of POP restrictions,” Hespen said. “Permit operators can’t drive after midnight unless they are coming from employment or it is a school-sponsored activity. That is allowed. Out just driving around after midnight is not allowed with the POP.”
During the first six months of driving with a POP, the holder is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle with more than one passenger under the age of 19, and who is not an immediate family member. All persons being transported in a motor vehicle operated by a holder of a POP are required to ride secured in an occupant protection system, like a seatbelt.
“That is basically a distraction issue,” Hespen said. “We don’t want a carload of people in there talking. Distractions can create problems.”
Hespen said that during the POP, drivers are also prohibited from using any kind of interactive wireless device.
“So they can’t use a cell phone to talk or text,” he said. “They can’t use any kind of wireless device while on their POP because, again, that is a distraction.”
Hespen said a highway safety campaign is set for April 8-12. It is called, “You Drive, You Text, You Pay.”
“At that time deputies will be out on the road some extra hours looking for those violations,” he said. “Texting is a secondary offense, but if you are stopped for another traffic violation we will be inquiring if in fact you were on your cell phone, especially if we can see that it looks like someone was texting.”
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