New high schoolers all across the state of Georgia have to slam on their breaks when it comes to driving their friends around . As a part of Joshua’s Law, for the first six-months of a driver’s licence, teens may not drive with any passengers other than members of the immediate family. New drivers are excited and eager during their first months of driving, but this law prohibits them from cruising around with their peers. Many North Atlanta sophomore and junior students have to consider the consequences of driving with their friends before the six month period has passed.

Because of the exciting anticipation leading up to getting your driver’s license, many teens feel disappointed when they are not allowed to pile friends into their cars. “I don’t like the six months rule because it’s a very excessive amount of time that drivers are restricted.” said sophomore Anna Pannell who is in her second month of driving, “It is extremely inconvenient because I have my license but I cannot give any of my unlicensed friends rides.”

Some choose to disregard the rule altogether. A major factor in the equation is the strictness of the parents a new driver possesses. Parents are either very strongly opinionated on the debate of whether the rule is effective, or they are nonchalant about bending the rule. Sophomore Mary Grace Ray’s parents care about the six months rule and believe it is important for her to gain experience behind the wheel before the fun of driving with friends. “The six months rule helps you get practice in dangerous situations, so when with friends, you know how to handle them.” she said.

Whether the six months rule is fair or unfavorable, and whether students agree or disagree with the parameters, the fact of the matter is that it’s punishable by law. It is up to new drivers to wait it out for six months and then they have the freedom to drive whoever they wish.