Police to Monitor Graduated Drivers License Law

Town officials said Tuesday night that the police will not target teen drivers under the new graduated license law that requires teen drivers to have a red sticker on their license plate.

Resident Len Berman questioned the Town Council regarding the new state law, including safety concerns he had regarding the red sticker. He said there could be concerns that a teen driver identifiable with the sticker could be the target for a stalker. He noted that his teen son was followed for 20 minutes on a recent evening while driving from Warren Township to Westfield, despite taking measures to get away from the other car. He said the red sticker could be more of a concern.

Police Chief John Parizeau and Council members said the police will keep an eye out for this behavior and also not target the teen drivers with the sticker. Parizeau said the law, which places limits on passengers in the car with the new drivers and limits night time driving will be a benefit to all drivers.

"The good thing about the law is it can prevent young people from dying," Parizeau said.

Acting Mayor Mark Ciarrocca said that while there are efforts in the state legislature to change the law, it is unlikely it can be overturned by the courts. The red stickers, which attach to license plates with Velcro can be obtained from the state Motor Vehicles Commission.

Ciarrocca noted that the potential of making teen drivers targets for stalkers is a concern of his and he would be interested in seeing if it is addressed in future legislation.

"I would be concerned if I had a 17 year old daughter and not a 17 year old son," he said.