POTTSBORO, TX-- Three years ago the community of Pottsboro, Texas mourned the loss of two teen girls killed in vehicle accidents, within just one month of each other.

That's when parents and residents started pushing for stricter driving laws.

May 1, they'll see the results of their hard work, as 20 additional hours of behind the wheel driving become required curriculum to all drivers’ education classes.

Vice President of Less Tears More Years, Phil Johnson, says he pushed for new driving laws after the loss of his own daughter.

"I don't want any parent to go through losing their child, no matter what the circumstance. But to lose it to a car wreck, because you think that maybe there's not enough experience, or they haven't been properly trained, or they haven't been properly tested, those are things we can fix," Johnson, said.

A bill called the Less Tears, More Years Act, was passed last year, requiring additional behind the wheel training.

Students are already required seven hours of behind the wheel and seven hours of in car observation.

"That's only fourteen hours that you're learning to drive,” Johnson, said. “Which is an activity that has proven everyday is life threatening."

The new law adds another 20 hours of behind the wheel. Ten of those must take place at night, the time when Johnson says most teen driving crashes happen.

"To add those ten hours at night, were very important and we're very proud of that," Johnson, said.

The additional hours are a requirement for both classroom led, and parent-taught driving courses.

Students must accumulate those hours on the road with a licensed driver at least 21 years old.

It's a welcome change for classroom instructor, Jerry Cantrell, who says it's the real life training that really counts.

"I can teach them,” Cantrell, said. “I can give them classroom instruction. I can show them films. I can get them behind the wheel, and tell them how to do it and everything. But, unless it's enforced after they leave here, it doesn't make any difference."