Parents Assisting Inexperienced Drivers

Parents Assisting Inexperienced Drivers SAVES.com

DON'T PUT YOUR
CHILDREN'S LIVES
TOTALLY IN THE
HANDS OF OTHERS*

Volunteer your time
See Barbara's latest news

E-mail:	Barbara@PaidSaves.com John@PaidSaves.com

Update - Thursday, October 21 2010
Today the US Health Officials said fatal car crashes involving teen drivers has dramatically dropped. The number of teen deaths in 2004 were 2,200 and in 2008 1,400.
This new report looked at crashes who's drivers were 16 or 17 years of age. It stated that death rates varied widely by state. WYOMING had the highest deate rate and NEW JERSEY and NEW YORK the lowest. The fatality rate among TEEN DRIVERS has been DROPPING since 1996.
-- Posted by barbar

2008 Updates - Sunday, October 4 2009
A total of 4,054 teenagers died in motor vehicle crashes in 2008.
You can read the facts on: Insurance Institute Highway Safety. Org/research/fatality.facts.2008/teenagers
-- Posted by barbar

TEEN DRIVERS TO GET DECALS IN NEW JERSEY - Thursday, April 16 2009
Gov. John Corzine signed into law the requirement for new drivers under the age of 21 to have SPECIAL DECALS affixed to the vehicles they are driving. The decals will likely be a small reflective rectangle attached to the front and rear license plates.
CONGRATULATIONS, NEW JERSEY for being the first state to do this.
Thank you, Jackson Township for setting an example and breaking the barrier to be the FIRST TOWN to offer decals.
Thank you, New Jersey for caring enough to see what makes a difference. By your example hopefully our others states will follow and the fatality/injury rate will continue to decline for our new drivers.

-- Posted by barbar

JACKSON POLICE RISE ABOVE THE ORDINARY - Thursday, October 11 2007

How lucky the people of Jackson, New Jersey are to have a police department that takes the initiative to help save young lives.

In a recent article in the Tri-Town News the Traffic Safety Bureau, will be offering vehicle stickers free of charge to the parents of new drivers. These stickers will identify new drivers on a provisional license and give consent for the police department to stop their minor driver in order to check for any possible violations of the provisional license.

Parents, I hope you realize that your town is very special. Jackson Law Enforcement has implemented a program which can save lives. Take advantage of this, demand that your teens drive only the vehicle that has the sticker. Law Enforcement needs your help for this to be a success.
-- Posted by barbar

Letter to Senator Singer, - Friday, October 5 2007
We have been following the recent tragedies in Ocean County and have felt so saddened and helpless. We pray everyday that the Graduated Driver License program will become a Federal Law, but until that happens each State is left on it’s own. Our thoughts on how Law Enforcement personnel can quickly identify provisional drivers have been our focus of late.
Our suggestions are as follows:
Upon receiving a driver’s permit each new driver will, at an additional cost, receive 4 reflective decals with the letter “P” to be placed on the windshield (above the inspection decal) and one on the back window in the lower left hand corner. The new driver will be able to drive either of 2 cars, thereby limiting any family hardships. The police will be able to identify a provisional driver and, if more than the required amount of passengers are in the vehicle, the police will be able to stop the vehicle without further reason.
If a new driver is stopped and is not driving a “P” marked vehicle, then a fine will be issued to the driver and to the owner of the vehicle.
If the new driver has a second offence then, his or her license will be suspended for a suggested time. An increase to the fines for both driver and owner may be applied.
This is just one of our ideas that we thought that we would share with you. Maybe by some small miracle you can make it a reality. After all, you did have the GDL signed into law.
We did mention this to a Law Enforcement Officer on the Traffic Safety Department of Jackson. We have talked at length so we are aware that identifying vehicles driven by a provisional driver is very difficult and sensitive due to privacy laws, profiling, and other issues.
Maybe New Jersey can be an example for the rest of the country.
-- Posted by barbar

MARCH 5, 2005 TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Sunday, June 5 2005
Approximately 1/3 of all deaths for people aged 15-20 are from motor vehicle crashes, accoding to data from the National Center for Health Statistics. This is the leading cause of death for this age group.
In 2003, 7,884 15 to 20 yr. old individuals were involved in fatal crashes - a 5% increase from 1993. Driver fatalities for this age group increased by 13% between 1993 and 2003.
In 2003, 14% (7,884) of all the drivers involved in fatal crashes (58,156) were young drivers (15 to 20 yrs. old) and 18% (1,954,000) of all the drivers involved in law enforcement reported crashes (11,155,000) were young drivers. However, these drivers accound for only 6.4% of all licensed drivers in the United States.
The problem contributing to these higher crash rates include lack of driving experience and inadeguate driving skills.
To find out more information on the statistics you can go to:www.nhtsa.dot.gov
key in search "traffic safety facts 2005"
-- Posted by barbar

GDL IN STATES AS OF 2004 - Sunday, June 5 2005
AS OF 2004, AT LEAST 19 STATES (AL, AK, AZ, CO, DE, FL, HI, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, NE, NY, OK, PA, RI, AND WY) CONSIDERED LEGISLATION TO CREATE OR IMPROVE THE GRADUATED LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING NIGHT TIME DRIVING AND PASSENGER RESTRICTIONS.
IN JULY 2004 ALASKA ENACTED LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSING LAW. AT THE END OF THE 2003 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, CONNECTICUT AND ILLINOIS ENACTED LEGISLATION RESTRICTING THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS THAT INTERMEDIATE DRIVER'S LICENSE HOLDERS CAN CARRY.
16 STATES LACK 1 ELEMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERAGE DRINKING LAW.
6 STATES LACK TWO ELEMENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERAGE DRINKING LAW.
4 STATES LACK 3 ELEMENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERAGE DRINKING LAW.
2 STATES HAVE NO ELEMENTS OF A GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSING.
14 STATES LACK A NIGHT TIME DRIVING RESTRICTION.
34 STATES LACK A PASSENGER RESTRICTION THAT SATISFIES THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION.
-- Posted by barbar

Florida Interview - Monday, May 9 2005
On Monday, May 9,2005 Barbara was interivewed by WPBFNEWS25'S (ABC) anchorman Mr. Jon Shainman. The interview was aired at the 5, 6 and 11 O'clock news. The segment was titled "A Mother's Mission" which corresponded with Shainman's series on "Safe Driver's."
Shainman and his staff are doing an excellant job reaching parents and teens and I thank them for their efforts.
-- Posted by barbar

Cablevision station 71 - Thursday, February 1 2001
Cablevision station 71 - Sportsview with host Nick Workman Aired on February 15 and 22, 2001
Barbara, Senator Singer, Marlene Atkins - State Division of Highway Traffic Safety and Jackson Traffic Safety Police Officer (Treavor) discussed the Graduated Drivers License in New Jersey. At this time it was also announced that Congress Chris Smith is sponsoring a National GDL

-- Posted by barbar

On TV - Sunday, January 7 2001
Barbara will appear on Garden State Matters, WWOR-TV at 8:30 am. The show is hosted by Brenda Flanagan. Also appearing on the show will be Senator Robert Singer, AAA Central Jersey and Kristi Vientos a 15 year old Jackson High School Student.
At this time Barbara will formally announce the Congressman Chris Smith will sponsor the National Graduated Drivers License.
-- Posted by barbar

Letter of appreciation. From Farm Bureau Insurance - Wednesday, December 27 2000
Wed, 27 Dec 2000 Transmitted by email

Barbara:

I couldn't agree with you more. On January 1, 1999 Indiana's Graduated Driver's Licensing law went into effect. We are an Indiana insurance company and are very involved and concerned about the youth of our state. We supported this law through many ups and downs. It was great news for us when this went into effect. For many of our teens and their parents it has been an adjustment but through the last year the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience.

I wish you well.

Teresa Koopman,
Director Advertising & Promotions

Farm Bureau Insurance
-- Posted by barbar

First letter of appreciation. From I Promise Program - Friday, December 1 2000
Thursday, December 07, 2000 Transmitted by email

Dear Barbara,

Kindly accept this letter supporting your activities to see graduated licensing instituted throughout the United States.

The Province of Ontario, Canada instituted graduated licensing several years ago. The process has three stages. It begins with a learnerâ€™s permit where the novice driver must have an accomplished driver in the front seat at all times. The novice driver is restricted from major highways and neither the novice driver nor accomplished driver can have any level of alcohol in their blood. The next stage, after an on-road exam, allows the novice driver to drive independently, but not yet on major highways, nor in the middle of the night, nor with any alcohol what-so-ever. Finally the third stage allows the driver full privileges.

As a parent of a 16 year old boy, I became aware that with partial or full independent driver privileges our son will be out-of-sight and we would have no recourse to be apprized of any untoward driver behavior. We felt that another level was required to compliment the graduated licensing and take over where it leaves off. Hence we have developed the I Promise Program. The program consists of a comprehensive parent-teen contract that spells out mutual obligations and expectations with respect to the privilege of driving. In addition the car is affixed with a rear window decal with a clearly visible toll free number. The decal identifies the driver as novice and invites the community to make reports, positive or critical on driver behavior. The calls are taken by a call center and a call report is delivered to the parent (owner) of the vehicle.

We are in the process of introducing our initiative to insurers who we expect will appreciate the implications of reducing injuries on lowering the cost of claims.

We are so impressed that your efforts have persuaded the state of New Jersey to implement graduated licensing and appreciate the hard work you yet have ahead of you taking on so many other states. You inspire us.

Keep up the good work. Many unknowing parents in New Jersey have you to thank for the safe return of their children each night.

Kind regards,

Gary Direnfeld, Executive Director
www.papyrusgraphix.com/ipp
-- Posted by barbar

New Jersey Congressman's office seeking sponsorship. - Wednesday, November 1 2000
Barbara met with a New Jersey Congressman's office seeking sponsorship.
The media was notified of a her intentions of a national system. A local cable show has set up a taping date of January 24, 2001, and the Gannet newspaper is running a 4 part series on Teen and Senior Drivers starting January 14, 2001.-- Posted by barbar

READY FOR THE ROAD - Sunday, October 1 2000
READY FOR THE ROAD
Earning a driver's license under
The Graduated Licensing System

The Graduated Driver License law becomes effective January 1, 2001. Anyone who is under 16 years of age as of January 1, 2001 will be subject to GDL requirements when they apply for a special learners permit. Anyone who is 17 years of age or older as of January 1, 2001 will be subject to GDL requirements when they apply for an examination permit , including individuals under the age of 18 transferring a valid out of state license. Anyone who is 16 years of age prior to January 1, 2001 and has not reached the age of 17 by that date, will be exempt from the requirements of the GDL law. Provisions of the law will be implemented in stages. The safety related provisions will be implemented on January 1, 2001 and the violation monitoring and sanctioning will be introduced to the program in July 2002. In the interim the current Probationary Driver Program (PDP) will continue until the Remedial Training Course is in place. The Graduated Drivers License Program has two roads to the issuance of the basic drivers license. One is by way of the Special Learners Permit and the other by the way of the Examination Permit. The Special Learners Permit has a three-step process where as the Examination Permit has a two-step process.

STEP 1 - SPECIAL LEARNER'S PERMIT (STUDENT PERMIT)

Pass a vision and 50-question law-knowledge test. (Law-knowledge test increased from 30 questions) (Increased questions do not apply until July 2002)**

Meet minimum age of 16 but less than 17. • Payment of permit fee $10. (Current fee is $5)
Schools continue to have discretion to provide classroom driver education prior to permit.
Permit can be validated for practice driving only after completing a behind-the-wheeldriving course conducted by an approved commercial or secondary school driver education program.
Signature of parent/guardian is required if under 18. The signature will also attest to the fact that they have received a copy of the parent handbook.
All driving must be supervised by a New Jersey licensed driver at least 21 years of age with a minimum of three years licensed experience, for the same class vehicle, who must be in the front passenger seat.
May not drive from 11:01 p.m. to 5 a.m. except with a written waiver from employer or religious authority.
Passengers are limited to one person plus any persons sharing residence (in addition to the supervising driver).
Everyone in the vehicle must wear safety belts.
A permit suspension for 90 days and a remedial course of at least four hours will result (in addition to other existing penalties) if the student accumulates more than two moving violation points or is convicted of any other significant motor vehicle offenses, such as drunk driving. (Does not apply until July 2002)**
Any additional points or significant offenses after the remedial course will result in a 90-day postponement of eligibility for the basic driver license. (Does not apply until July 2002)**
Permit suspended for six months for conviction of any alcohol or drug-related offense unrelated to operation of motor vehicle (if not already subject to another suspension penalty). (Does not apply until July 2002)**
$ 100 fine for violation of any of the conditions of the permit. *

STEP 2 - PROVISIONAL NON-PHOTO LICENSE*

Meet minimum age of 17 and successfully complete student leamer permit stage with a minimum of six months supervised driving experience.
Pass road test under actual, but low-risk, road conditions wherever practical and feasible, An off-road screening process may precede road test.
May not drive from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. except with a written waiver from employer or religious authority. If at least 21 years of age hour restrictions do not apply.
Passengers limited to one person, plus any persons sharing the same residence unless provisional licensee or a passenger is 21 or over.
Supervising driver not required.
Everyone in the vehicle must wear safety belts.
A minimum 4 hour remedial course is required (in addition to existing penalties) for more than two motor vehicle points or conviction of any significant motor vehicle related violations during the provisional license suspension of three months and postponement of basic (unrestricted) license eligibility for a comparable period (in addition to existing penalties). (Does not apply until July 2002)**
Suspension of six months for conviction of any alcohol or drug-related offense unrelated to the operation of a motor vehicle (if not already subject to another suspension penalty). (Does not apply until July 2002)**
$ 100 fine for violations of any of the other conditions of provisional license.*

STEP 3 - BASIC (Unrestricted) PHOTO LICENSE

Meet all requirements of the examination permit.
Pass road test under actual, but low-risk, road conditions wherever practical and feasible. An off-road screening process may precede road test.*
Have a minimum of one-year driving experience with a valid examination permit (excluding any period of suspension or license postponement) (license postponement does not apply until July 2002)**
Not have been assessed more than two motor vehicle points or convicted of any significant motor vehicle offenses in the previous year. (Does not apply until July 2002)**
EXAMINATION PERMIT - THE ALTERNATIVE TWO-STEP ROUTE*
STEP 1 - EXAMINATION PERMIT

Meet minimum age of 17.
Pay a fee of $10. (Current fee $5)
Pass a vision and 50-questions law-knowledge test. (Law-knowledge test increased from 30 questions) (Increased questions do not apply until July 2002)**
Signature of parent/guardian is required if under 18. The signature will also attest to the fact that they have received a copy of the parent handbook.
Behind-the-wheel or driver education classroom course is not required.
Everyone in the vehicle must wear safety belts.
May not drive from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. except with a written waiver from employer or religious authority. (Restrictions do not apply if 21 or older).
Must have a supervising driver in the front seat for the first six months if under 21 years of age and for three months if 21 or older who is at least 21 years of age with a minimum of three years driving experience.
Continue to drive for the remaining six or nine months unsupervised for a total of one year. Passengers limited to one person plus and persons sharing residence except if permit holder or another passenger is 21 or older.
Permit suspended for 90 days and must attend a 4-hour remedial course for accumulating more than two motor vehicle points or for any conviction of a significant motor vehicle offense, such as drunk driving. (This is in addition to existing penalties) (Does not apply until July 2002)**
Any additional points or any significant motor vehicle violations after the remedial course will result in a 90-day postponement of eligibility for basic license) (Does not apply until July 2002)**
Permit suspended for six months for conviction of any alcohol or drug-related offense unrelated to operation of motor vehicle (if not already subject to another suspension penalty). (Does not apply until July 2002)**
Fine of $ 100 for violation of other conditions of the permit.**
STEP 2 - BASIC (Unrestricted) PHOTO LICENSE

Meet minimum age of 18.
Meet all requirements of the examination permit.
Pass road test under actual, but low-risk, road conditions wherever practical and feasible. An off-road screening process may precede road test.*
Have a minimum of one-year driving experience with a valid examination permit (excluding any period of suspension or license postponement) (license postponement does not apply until July 2002)**
Not have been assessed more than two motor vehicle points or convicted of any significant motor vehicle offenses in the previous year. (Does not apply until July 2002)**
SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Creation of State Advisory Committee on Driver Education.* Adoption of new statewide curriculum guidelines for classroom driver education courses. * Individuals that turn 16 prior to January 1, 2001 may still apply for a Special Learner's permit on or after January 1, 2001 and will not be subject to the Graduated License law, provided they have not attained the age of 17.* The GDL law does not include agricultural permit or motorcycle permit holders.*

* Subject to legislative change.** Subject to implementation date change.
-- Posted by barbar

National Graduated Drivers License - Tuesday, August 1 2000
Barbara is pursuing a National Graduated Drivers License System. Letters were sent to all United States Senator's requesting a sponsor.-- Posted by barbar

Open letter to Parents - Tuesday, September 1 1998
Barbara

Barbara@PaidSaves.com
shopjersey.com John

kevee@aol.com
community.nj.com/c/paid

November 4, 1999
Dear Parents of New Jersey;

In September 1998 a Bill was passed into Law effective January 2001 regarding GRADUATED DRIVER'S LICENSE.

Since that day each time I read the newspaper I see that another teenagers life has been lost in a motor vehicle crash. Most of these accidents have been because of inexperience and/or multiple teens in the vehicle. Day after week after week these accidents are claiming lives.

On this day after reading the Asbury Park Press front page regarding a tragic accident in Middletown taking the lives of two 17 year old passengers I felt it imperative to reach out to all parents.

If the GRADUATED DRIVER'S LICENSE was in effect today these lives would not have been lost. This is a fact. But, unfortunately it is not the LAW today so therefore 1 am asking parents to act as if it were the LAW.

Protect your child! Do not let him/her drive in a vehicle with a new driver. YOU continue to transport YOUR child whether he/she likes it or not.

If your child is driving YOU make the LAW, do not allow other teens in the car. Have strict punishment where the teen would think twice about breaking YOUR LAW.

Yesterdays accident only goes to prove that if this BILL was in effect today those boys would be alive simply because they would not have been allowed in the vehicle.

We speak from experience, both John and I visit our children at the cemetery. We hope NOT to see you there.

With hope in our hearts for tomorrow's children

Respectfully,
Barbara
John
-- Posted by barbar