Georgia Mother Campaigning for Teen Driver Warning Stickers

no, I think it would cause all the 20-21 year old drivers, who just removed their stickers, to seriously screw with the "new drivers".

This may be one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. Sure, teen drivers are dangerous and they annoy me. Hey, I used to be one. But to actually "label" a driver of a certain age is like profiling, whether it be by race, age, sex, etc. How would this "moo" feel if she is required to get a "Caution: Senior Driver" sticker?

Seriously, she needs a man with some Viagra taking care of her. Maybe then she'll be busy enough to do something more important.

I meant "mom" not "moo".

We already have these identifiers for seniors. It says "Buick".

I think legislating these stickers is dumb, but I think it's kinda clever for parents to buy.

My friend recently sent me a website called "STFU Parents". Mostly it is about parents posting too much unwanted information on facebook, but I think this story is worthy of a submission as well. I absolutely agree teen drivers are not as experienced and therefore not likely to be the best drivers on the road, but this sort of reaction is ridiculous.

Everyone loves the kid whose parent is responsible for any type of change in rules. Considering that how about "I want my son to get his ass kicked at school."

New Jersey wanted to try something similar, and it was almost immediately challenged in court. The attorney leading the lawsuit notes that such an identifier will not only subject the teen driver to additional attention from police, but it will also identify them to potential attackers - all it would take would be one responsible teen driving by themselves who never comes home because some freak was able to single them out and follow them.

Here's the article about the lawsuit: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/rockaway_attorney_sues_state_o.html

In BC, all new drivers are required to have an "N" sticker on their car.... and I have never heard of anyone being targeted, attacked or picked on.

Non issue.

The lawyer who sued was just trying make a fast buck at the expense of the taxpayer.

Japan already does this - with a red stripe on the license plates. It gets better - these "amateur" drivers are not considered liable in any accident they find themselves in during the probationary period.

In Australia we have this as well. When drivers have a learner's permit, they have to display a yellow square with an "L" (learner) in the rear window. Once they are licensed, they must have a red square with a "P" (provisional) displayed for three years.

It's not a big deal and getting your "P's" is a right of passage over there. It's a win-win for everyone; other drivers are aware of new drivers and the kids love it because they go " cruisin' for P's", or in other words, other teens and young adults with the symbols in the windows.

I just hate her sticker; the "caution" part is degrading; implying that her son can't drive.

festiboi1,

I can understand the "L". The person doesn't really have a valid license. Where I live, it also means they must have a valid drive with them and they can't drive at night.

I do have a question for you. If they didn't have the "P", do you think it would make any difference on how people drive? To me, it just seems wasteful.

Good question brn,
I think it really does make a difference in how other drivers behave. They are more cautious around "P-Platers" and may be more sympathetic if the new driver makes a bad judgement call.

But also, from experience being licensed in Aus and the US, Australian drivers seem more aware of their surroundings and I don't think Americans will pay as much attention to stickers and placards

Firstwagon, in Texas whenever any car is seen with "student driver" decals, they get picked on. I've been the person on both sides of the teasing. It is almost like, a completely idiotic, right of passage. I think they would get picked on.

Ireland has the L sticker as well. It just help people to be aware that the person in front of you might not be as experienced as you.

"and I don't think Americans will pay as much attention to stickers and placards" .. because Americans cover their cars with so many stupid bumper stickers and magnets that people have stopped noticing them.

If she's so concerned she should advocate for a stricter licensing program. That's something we could use here. If people who stink at driving are getting their license, make the test harder. The sticker is dumb.

Great idea SirTodd

I think mom would rethink this when she has a
"Caution: Senior Driver" sticker on her car.

"Caution: Woman Driver" would be even better.

Instead of wasting her time and money on degrading and confidence shattering stickers, she should use that money to send her kid to a teen driving program at some professional driving school.

...Or to vouch for more stringent tests to get/renew the licence. A caution sticker seems like a good way to blow money on a very short sighted program.