Teens Are Getting RED With Frustration In New Jersey

Welcome to New Jersey.

Home of the fist pump, an odor that permeates everything, the Jersey Shore and a new decal law for driver's under 21.

Uh, what?

Rather than beefing up the driver's education test or actually increasing the physical driving test's requirements, the state has decided that by affixing red decals to any automobile piloted by a driver under 21 is more appropriate.

By essentially creating a "flag," the state feels that it will theoretically alert other motorists of an inexperienced driver and provide the authorities a bit more color on what driver's are obeying/breaking the law.

To this New Jeseyan, it seems a bit too much like another lame attempt by officials to put a Band-Aid over a stab wound.


AutoSavant reports:

Under a law that went into effect a month ago, vehicles driven by individuals under age 21 in New Jersey must have a red decal on their license plates.  The red decal is part of Kyleigh’s Law, passed last year by the state legislature nearly unanimously and signed into law by then-Governor Jon Corzine.  The law is named for New Jersey teenager Kyleigh D’Alessio, who was killed in a 2006 car crash in which another teen was driving.

Other provisions of the law, intended to force inexperienced teenage drivers to concentrate on driving only, include:

• All occupants of the vehicle must have their seatbelts fastened.
• The holder of the provisional license under age 21 may not drive between 12:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., except in cases of emergency or bona fide employment or religious activity (with documentation)
• A prohibition on using any wireless interactive communication device, including texting, messaging, talking on the cell phone
• The vehicle may be operated with no more than one other passenger, except in cases where the passenger is a dependent, a parent or guardian