NJ Drivers under 21

[MM27]

I understand that kids sometimes break the driving laws regarding passengers in the car, but do we really need to put the Scarlet Letter on their car. Sounds like another way for the DMV to make a few extra bucks.
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20100325/NEWS01/3250313/N.J.-introduces-red-decals-young-drivers-must-display

Young drivers will be easier for police to spot in New Jersey.

The state Motor Vehicles Commission on Wednesday unveiled red decals that new motorists under the age of 21 must display on their license plates, making New Jersey the first state to alert police when a young driver is behind the wheel.

Young drivers have balked about the new requirement since former Gov. Jon Corzine signed the law last year, complaining they may be targeted by police.

State law enforcement and MVC officials said at Wednesday's sticker unveiling that the measure, named "Kyleigh's Law," will make it easier to enforce teen driving restrictions.

"The new decal will strengthen police officers' ability to enforce the Graduated Driver License law requirement," Attorney General Paula Dow said in a statement released after the ceremony held at a MVC office in Freehold.

The law was named for Kyleigh D'Alessio, a 16-year-old central New Jersey high school student who was killed in 2006 while riding in a vehicle driven by another teen.

The removable reflective red decal, which will cost $4, will help police identify provisionally licensed drivers in order to enforce restrictions on passenger limits and 11 p.m. curfews.

Drivers who have already completed the 12-month provisional license period will not have to display the decal, even if they are under age 21. Regardless, some teens still have reservations about the enforcement of the law.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I like the idea.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I'm not sure I get this. How does this work of the car they drive doesn't belong to them? If it is my car and I am out late, they are going to pull me over?

If it's my car (no sticker), and my child is out late, then this doesn't change anything.

 

[pyrxtc]

In Australia there are things that you put on the top of your car to let everyone know how long you have been driving. it is all color coded so everyone knows if you are new or experienced.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I'm not sure I get this. How does this work of the car they drive doesn't belong to them? If it is my car and I am out late, they are going to pull me over?

If it's my car (no sticker), and my child is out late, then this doesn't change anything.

They are removable and have to be on ANY car that they drive. No decal - no drive - or risk $100 fine...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

In Japan there is a special large tag which must be attached to both the front and the back of a car when it is driven by any driver who has had their license for less than a year, regardless of age.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

An FAQ - link...

 

[bearlyanne]

The spots are magnetic, so an adult can take them off when he or she is driving.
The price isn't that bad, only $4, but they require a trip to the DMV.

I like the idea of more enforcement if laws are being broken, but I would like to see everyone being pulled over in that case, not selective enforcement because it is kids.

But, I guess it will make things easier on a cop to decipher whether they should pull someone over who is breaking teen only rules like being out past curfew, or has too many riders etc.

 

[FireDancer]

I like the idea but it would make more sense to do it for people under the age of 18, not 21. If you are old enough to help select the President of the United States or go to war for our country and get killed or wounded you should be able to drive a car with the full rights of an adult.

For people under 18 I think it makes sense. It can alert a police officer if there are too many people in the car or if the minor is out past curfew. There are already laws that limit the times young drivers can operate a motor vehicle and who they can have in the car.

 

[njprincess601]

As a 19 year old NJ driver, I fully support this. I know alot of my friends do not but I think it is a great idea. I live in North Jersey and the roads can get extremely dangerous. Also, after driving with some of my friends I think some people can be a little reckless and not take driving as seriously as they should. I know a lot of my friends still talk on the phone when they drive, however, I have never seen any of them text while driving. Also with friends in the car and music on, we can get easily distracted. I'm not saying this applies for everyone, because I know I'm as responsible as a driver as I can be. Hopefully this will make teens more responsible.

 

[tiffsix]

I like the idea.

I like the idea too...


ROLL TIDE

 

[kacaju]

I have a 16 year old dd with her permit. (we are in NJ) I am not crazy about this at all.

 

[sandramaac]

As the mom and dad of a 17 year old girl, we will not allow her to display this special sticker. While I agree with the idea behind the law, we do not feel it is safe. It is like putting a great flashing light with an arrow pointing down at her car for first any weirdo who decides to put some flashing light on his 'unmarked car', and pretend to be law enforcement. We all know that is has happened before, and the outcome has not been good. Secondly, I think that we are going to see heightened aggressiveness and intimidation tactics to these less experience drivers---the tractor trailer who see's this, there is no doubt in my mind that these drivers will be targeted. Heck, I drive a Yukon and I am a great driver, but quite a number of times as a woman driver I have been at the mercy of one of these aggressive truck drivers.

The only thing I think they should have is for the student/learning driver. There should be some sort of magnetic plate they can put on like driving schools that says 'student driver.' It allows others on the road to know and not get so nasty or aggravated just because they don't know the person driving the car so slow is a student driver and not some idiot behind the wheel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It is like putting a great flashing light with an arrow pointing down at her car for first any weirdo who decides to put some flashing light on his 'unmarked car', and pretend to be law enforcement.

Common sense: instruct your daughter to drive safely and calmly to a well-lit, busy area - supermarket parking lot, busy gas station, even local police station. She can stay in the car with the door locked and the window cracked a half inch, and CALL 911 if she's at all suspicious of the person pulling her over. It's actually good advice for anyone of ANY age.

Secondly, I think that we are going to see heightened aggressiveness and intimidation tactics to these less experience drivers---the tractor trailer who see's this, there is no doubt in my mind that these drivers will be targeted.

I feel that's an uncalled-for generalization, especially since it targets all professional truck drivers - people working to earn a living.

I have a 16 year old dd with her permit. (we are in NJ) I am not crazy about this at all.

General question: do people who object to young drivers's license plates being marked so police can more easily determine IF they're violating simple laws (passengers, curfews, etc), have better suggestions how the police can determine this? It's late, but the only one that comes to mind is for them to stop EVERY full car and EVERY car with a driver who APPEARS under a certain age driving outside the allowed hours.

 

[CookieGVB]

My son is 18, but does not still have a provisional license - guess he dodged this one by a couple of months.

The 16-year old...not so much.

 

[allison443]

First, this only applies to drivers under 21 with a provisional license (which is for one year after the kid gets their license.). Example, my dd got her license in 2008 on her 17th birthday. She was given a "provisional license" for one year with restrictions that included carrying only one non-related passenger and not being allowed to drive after midnight. Now that she is 18, her one year is up, and she has a full license (non-provisonal/non-probationary) so she will not need the decal.

Second, they are moving the "curfew" from midnight to 11 pm so drivers with a provisional license cannot be on the road after 11. We always enforced the midnight curfew with our dds. However, many 17 year olds work at malls (hey, we are in NJ!) which close at 9:30 and with closing, my dd would usually get home after 11. Also, school dances normally ended at 11, school plays, etc. I don't think midnight was too late for a 17 year old to be coming home from the movies, etc.

 

[bambii]

here is south dakota you can get a licence at 14 and that is dumb.. they want to raise until 16 1/2, but parents that have ranches say they need the kid to drive to school, that is what school buses are for..

 

[John VN]

How about a magnetic Q-Tip on the roof of a car for drivers here in Fl?

Problems exist at both ends of the driving experience. Not sure if the tag will do much good. Personal responsibility is the key.

.

 

[golfgal]

First, this only applies to drivers under 21 with a provisional license (which is for one year after the kid gets their license.). Example, my dd got her license in 2008 on her 17th birthday. She was given a "provisional license" for one year with restrictions that included carrying only one non-related passenger and not being allowed to drive after midnight. Now that she is 18, her one year is up, and she has a full license (non-provisonal/non-probationary) so she will not need the decal.

Second, they are moving the "curfew" from midnight to 11 pm so drivers with a provisional license cannot be on the road after 11. We always enforced the midnight curfew with our dds. However, many 17 year olds work at malls (hey, we are in NJ!) which close at 9:30 and with closing, my dd would usually get home after 11. Also, school dances normally ended at 11, school plays, etc. I don't think midnight was too late for a 17 year old to be coming home from the movies, etc.

Our town has a midnight curfew for kids under 18 but there are exceptions for kids coming home from work or a school event.

I am not sure I like the idea of having a tag on a car for a young driver. I think that if an officer has a suspicion that the driver is underage for the number of passengers in the car, just pull them over and check. If everything checks out, send them on their way.

We have the first 6 months of only one non-related driver in the car and then after that they can only have up to 4 other people in the car for the next year.

I think this is still the BEST thing for teen drivers: http://www.teensafedriver.com/

We had this for DS17 for a year and will have it for our twins when they get their licenses next year. It promotes good driving habits and sends an email to parents updating them on how their driver is doing. Basically it gives kids 2 years of having a "parent" in the car with them-a year with their permit and a year with the camera.

 

[ICF]

sounds like a pretty good idea to me.....