Committee May Join Opposition to Kyleigh's Law

The Cranford Township Committee considered a resolution to support the repealing of the decal portion of Kyleigh's Law at Monday's workshop meeting.

Kyleigh's Law requires all drivers below the age of 21 to place a magnetic decal on their front and rear license plates. The decals were made mandatory at the beginning of the month.

While the law was intended to ensure police officers could readily identify young drivers who were in violation of curfew and other infractions, concerns have arisen that criminals could target minors using the decals.

"You're identifying young drivers," Mayor Mark Smith said. "I've had residents tell me they're concerned for their daughters who are under 21. This is a resolution that expresses support of repeal."

Smith also emphasized that the desired change only involves the controversial magnetic decals, and that other parts of the law do ensure the safety of young drivers and passengers.

"I think it's an example of a really well-intentioned law that has unintended consequences," he said.

Commissioner David Robinson admitted he was not familiar with the law and would like to study it prior to voting on the resolution. He also questioned the ability to enforce the decals as they can be easily removed from a vehicle.

Commissioner Daniel Aschenbach said he was in favor of the measure to express support for repealing the law.

"I think it should be eliminated or replaced," he said.

The measure to repeal the decals is being co-sponsored in the New Jersey General Assembly by Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield) who represents Cranford Township and other communities in the 21st district.

Cranford Township Attorney Carl Woodward provided additional background of the law to members of the committee.

The law is named for Kyleigh D'Alessio, a 16-year-old Washington Township resident who was killed in a 2006 car crash.

"His parents pushed a law to identify teenage drivers," Woodward said. "Right now, underage drivers have their hours of operation restricted, number of passengers and things like that."

"The decals would enable the police to identify if a young driver was out after curfew and that sort of thing, but what happened when the law went into effect people started thinking about unintended consequences," he added. "It's like putting a bull's eye on any kid who's driving a car."