Kyleigh’s Law Mandates Decal on Teen Drivers’ Cars

CHESTER — By signing Kyleigh’s Law on Wednesday, April 15, Gov. Jon Corzine made New Jersey the first state in the nation to have a teen driver decal law. Named in honor of 16-year-old Kyleigh D’Alessio, the law requires the use of an identifier on vehicles driven by teens holding a permit or provisional license.
“Having a driver’s license is an awesome responsibility for any teenager,” Corzine stated in a release. “The legislation I am signing today initiates several preventative measures to help avoid further teen driving tragedies like Kyleigh’s, while ensuring that our young people are better prepared to safely take to the roadways.”
The law also will assist police in identifying young drivers who may be in violation of the Graduated Driver License (GDL) restrictions.
“As a father I cannot even begin to imagine what the pain is like for family and friends of Kyleigh D’Alessio and the thousands of other teenagers who die in automobile accidents each year,” said Sen. Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R-21st). “This legislation is designed to encourage our young drivers to drive safely and to comply with the rules of the road. It will also assist law enforcement personnel in identifying new drivers that might not be complying with the rules and thus, putting themselves, passengers and other drivers at risk. Through education and action we can save lives and help avert another tragedy.”
The governor also signed S-16/A-3070, revising nighttime driving and passenger restrictions on permit and provisional drivers. New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law currently restricts teens on a provisional license from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. Although only 15 percent of miles driven by 16 and 17-year-olds are between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., more than 40 percent of their fatal crashes occur during this time period. The bill also renames the provisional license “probationary.”
“We live in the most densely populated state in the nation in an era of constant distractions,” said Sen. Richard J. Codey (D-27th). “Over the last few years, we’ve witnessed a number of tragic accidents that could have been avoided. Hopefully these changes will make sure that inexperienced drivers have greater supervision and less distractions while they’re still learning the ropes.”
“Statistics show that 40 percent of fatal teen car accidents occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.,” said Sen. Fred H. Madden, (D-4th). “This new law will work to protect all drivers by reducing these numbers, while also making it easier for law enforcement officers to identify teen drivers. This bill isn’t about profiling, but instead ensuring that parents, young drivers and police officers are able to take an active role in protecting our roadways.”
The bills signed April 15 address four recommendations contained in the Teen Driver Study Commission’s March 2008 report. Three of those recommendations are essential for stemming the tide of teen driver crashes that last year claimed 60 teen lives – 37 drivers and 23 passengers.
“Every nine minutes a teen crashes in New Jersey,” Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer said. “The legislation signed today by Gov. Corzine will help to ensure that young drivers, who clearly face a higher risk on our roadways, remain safe during the most dangerous time of their lives. These bills will help reduce teen crashes and ultimately save young lives.”
According to the NJ Teen Driver Study Commission Report, a teen driver is 158 percent more likely to be killed in a crash while carrying two passengers. The risk increases to 207 percent when there are three passengers in a teen driver’s car. The increased risk is often the result of distraction and others in the car encouraging the teen driver to take risks with most teen crashes in NJ occur after school.
“The only way to become better at anything is through practice, and driving is no exception,” said Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-19th), chairman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. “Providing teen drivers with adequate behind-the-wheel time, standardized driver education and a healthy respect for the consequences of bad driving will help make them safer, more responsible motorists.”
“We need to give newly minted drivers the tools they need to become safe, responsible motorists,” said Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone (D-31st). “Encouraging safe driving practices, enhancing penalties for bad driving and increasing the amount of time required behind the wheel will go a long way toward that goal.”
In total, the report outlines 47 recommendations to help reduce teen crashes, and ultimately save lives. While the State has the oldest minimum driving age in the nation (17) and a strong
Graduated Driver License (GDL) law that addresses teen risk factors (i.e., passengers, nighttime driving, cell phones, and seat belts), the Commission determined that more can and must be done to reduce teen driver crashes and save lives.
“Like learning any other skill, learning to drive well takes time,” said Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes III. (D-18th) “Ensuring our teens have the technical ability and good measure that come with practice will make them safer and more careful when they’re on the road.”
Between 2002 and 2008, more than 400 teen drivers and teens who were passengers in teen-driven vehicles, died on the state’s roadways.
“This package will help reinforce the message to teens that driving is a privilege, not a right,” said Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt (D-6th). “We need to better impress upon teens that getting behind the wheel carries with it real and tremendous responsibility for their passengers, other drivers and, most importantly, themselves.”
“Making sure that our teenagers understand the serious responsibility that comes along with obtaining a drivers license is imperative,” said Assemblyman John F. McKeon. (D-27th) “Distinguishing learning teen drivers from the rest of the driving community will make our roads safer for everyone.”
“Despite having a strong Graduated Driving Licensing law, we have experienced a rash of fatal crashes involving teenage drivers during the past few years,” said Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini, (R-11th). “This legislation the governor has signed today will enhance and strengthen that law and provide constructive and improved guidelines that will ultimately save lives.”