In November 2006, a teen driver took Jessica Pinna’s life.

In a Wednesday hearing, her emotional mother told members of the House Roads and Transportation Committee that a bill they’re considering might have saved her 6-year-old’s life.

“Let’s get this passed now and save lives,” said Angie Pinna, Indianapolis, wearing a button bearing Jessica’s image pinned to her shirt.

A 16-year-old boy hit the Pinnas head-on when he swerved to avoid slowing traffic near Greenwood; Jessica died instantly.

The proposal under consideration would toughen teen-driver restrictions, including raising the minimum age for a license by six months.

“Research has shown that experience and maturity are the two most important factors to reduce the number of teen crashes, as well as teen fatalities and fatalities at the hands of teen drivers,” said Sen. Travis Holdman, R-Markle, the bill’s author.

In 2007, teen drivers caused 153 deaths on Hoosier roadways, a figure Robert Spolyar of State Farm Insurance testified could drop by at least 50 in coming years if lawmakers pass the bill.

Current law allows teens to receive a license one month after their 16th birthday. Holdman’s bill changes the age to 16 and six months, effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Under the bill, drivers younger than 18 also would be banned from using cell phones except to call 911. It also would require teens to have 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night, before they get a license. In addition, the bill prohibits new drivers from having passengers younger than 25 for the first 180 days.

Representatives from AAA Hoosier Motor Club, the insurance industry, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and health-care professions also supported the bill.

The bill has passed in the Senate. Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, chairwoman of the House committee, delayed a vote on the bill Wednesday to consider several changes, including pushing back the effective date for the age change. She said she expects to call a vote next week.

Call Star reporter Richard Gootee at (317) 444-2774.