By AUBRIE GEORGE | The Marlton Telegram
A new state law that went into effect recently requires permit and probationary license holders under the age of 21 to place reflective red decals on their license plate while driving.
The statute, which state officials said is the first of its kind in the nation, is called Kyleigh’s Law in memory of Kyleigh D’Alessio, a Morris County teenager killed in 2006 while she was a passenger in a car driven by a probationary driver.
Kyleigh’s Law was signed by former Gov. Corzine and went into effect statewide on May 1. The law mandates the display of red, reflective decals on the front and rear license plate of any vehicle operated by a permit or probationary license holder under the age 21. Failure to display the decals bears a $100 fine.
The decals are removable so that family members who share a vehicle with a GDL holder are able to remove them before driving.
State officials said the law is designed to help prevent teen driver deaths and injuries and also provides a tool for law enforcement to enforce the state’s graduated driver license law.
In a statement released by the state office of the attorney general and the state division of highway traffic safety, Attorney General Paula T. Dow said stopping a driver for a potential GDL violation should never be based on the fact that a driver appears young, is leaving a school parking lot or is in a vehicle that may be more typical of teens.
See this week’s print edition of The Telegram for the full story.
