Stronger Teen Driving Laws to Take Effect Saturday

Learning to drive is an exciting time in the life of a teen.  But the rules governing getting behind the wheel for young adults are about to change.

In April of 2009, state legislators passed bill S2314, more familiarly known as "Kyleigh's Law." The bill, along with other bills recently passed in Trenton, places a number of restrictions and additional requirements on New Jersey's Graduated Driver's License (GDL) program.  

It was named in honor of Kyleigh D'Alessio, a 16-year-old girl killed in a 2006 Washington Township motor vehicle crash. The car, driven by a 17-year-old with two other passengers, careened into a tree, killing the driver and Kyleigh.

The set of bills, including Kyleigh's Law (S2314), S16, A3067, and A3068, enact the following measures for GDL drivers under the age of 21:

• Permit or probationary license holders must display a set of red, reflectorized velcro decals on the upper left corner of each license plate
• Permit and probationary drivers may drive with only one passenger in addition to parents, guardians, or dependents, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
• May not operate a motor vehicle after 11:01 p.m. and before 5:00 a.m.
• May not use a hand-held or hands-free interactive, wireless communication device.

The red decals are being sold at all Motor Vehicle Commission offices for $4 per pair.  Drivers not displaying the decals may be fined up to $100.
The law changes the name of the provisional license to "probationary license" and also eliminates the option for GDL drivers to plea-bargain any point-carrying offenses.

Facebook, the popular social networking platform used heavily by teens, has lit up with groups and pages of disapproval toward the new laws.

Teens, the demographic for which the changes are primarily targeted, have thus far been the most vocal group in terms of anger towards the new regulations. Several Dayton students are among those unhappy.

Sophomore Tara Strober is concerned about the motive behind requiring the bright decals for young drivers.  

"It's social profiling," she said.  Strober also thinks there is a high likelihood of theft of decals, being that they are removable.

A key part (or lack thereof) of the law is that even if a person obtained his or her special learner's permit or provisional license prior to its passage, he or she must abide by the new terms.  "There should be a grandfather clause," said junior Sean Berkowitz.

Others have argued safety concerns, noting that the color decal would make vehicles operated by teens more obvious targets for child predators.  "It's not very safe for everyone to know that the driver is 17," said junior Johan Chabanon.

But no matter the opinion, Kyleigh's Law takes effect on Saturday.  Violators of the new GDL rules face a $100 fine.