Topeka ? Armed with a ton of statistics on accidents involving teenagers, a coalition of groups Friday pushed for more restrictions on new drivers until they become more accustomed to the road.

“What you see coming through over and over again is this issue of inexperience,” Kansas Transportation Secretary Deb Miller said.

Miller, insurance representatives, child advocates and law enforcement have proposed a number of changes in getting a Kansas driver’s license.

Those include increasing the age for obtaining a learner’s permit from 14 to 15; raising the age to get a restricted license from 15 to 16; banning cell phone use; and restricting the number of passengers and driving times.

In recent years, 15 states have passed laws barring teenagers from using electronic devices, such as cell phones, while driving.

Miller and others said the changes were needed because teens are disproportionately involved in wrecks.

That is because they lack experience in driving and need more time behind the wheel while being supervised by a parent or other adult, officials said.

“As teens age, they are safer; they’ve had more experience,” said Melissa Savage, a program director with the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Kansans ages 16 to 20, and, while teens make up 6 percent of licensed drivers, they are involved in 20 percent of total accidents, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

In Douglas County, 611 teenagers, aged 14 to 17, were injured and two were killed in motor vehicle wrecks from 2002 to 2006, the agency reported.

But the proposal was met with some skeptical questions from members of an interim committee on transportation.

State Sen. Terry Bruce, R-Hutchinson, asked how teens were supposed to get driving experience if the state upped the age for driving.

Miller said the proposed changes would help teens by lengthening the length of time they would be required to drive under an adult’s supervision.

James Hanni, a representative of AAA, said effective parental involvement is key.

State Rep. Vincent Wetta, D-Wellington, said he supported further restrictions, but was concerned about more “government control of our lives.”

And some rural legislators have fought against increasing the driving age, saying young people in their areas need to be able to get a license early because they need to travel long distances.

State Rep. Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin, and chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said the proposals will be debated in the upcoming legislative session that starts in January.