Lawmaker wants teens' cars to carry warning stickers
'Young driver' decal aimed at fostering caution, confidence
By Ed Sealover, Rocky Mountain News
Published September 2, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
A Fort Collins lawmaker wants new teen drivers to attach a decal to their cars warning motorists of their highway inexperience.
The measure, floated by Rep. Randy Fischer, a Democrat, is based on a suggestion from a high school senior who said a decal could benefit new and veteran drivers alike.
Fischer has proposed a pilot program in which permit holders would have to display triangle decals on the back windows of their primary vehicles.
A draft of the measure is working its way through an interim legislative committee.
Accidents account for 36 percent of deaths of 16- to 19-year- olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teen drivers are four times more likely than older drivers to crash, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
It wasn't an interest group that brought those numbers to Fischer. The information came from J.R. Lopez, a Rocky Mountain High School senior who thought of the decal proposal.
Lopez, 16, said he and his buddies faced blaring horns, screaming motorists and more than a few single raised fingers when they started to drive.
The new decal could serve as a signal to motorists that they should be more cautious and more patient, Lopez said. It also could give teens with learner's permits - typically teens 15 and older who must be with an adult family member - a bit more confidence, he said.
"For new drivers, it would make them feel safer to let people around them know they were new drivers," he said.
Under Fischer's proposal, the program would run for three years in select cities while the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles collects data to see whether the decals cut back on accidents.
Colorado could be the first state in the nation to enact such a measure. Similar programs are in effect in England, Singapore and India, according to research done by Lopez.
Fischer said the idea intrigues him because of its potential impact on safety and because it came from someone in the age group it targets.
"This is really just emblematic of some of the caliber of students we're producing here," Fischer said.
Under the proposal, the decal would cost $1 or $2. It would include the words young driver and could be required on the cars for the year in which learners hold their permits.
Sen. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, questioned whether families would have to put decals on every car a teen may drive or whether a teen could get ticketed if he drives a car without a decal.
Fischer responded that during apilot program, he wouldn't envision penalties for those who don't post decals. He just wants to see whether the effort can cut down on accidents and save lives.
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September 2, 2008
2:12 a.m.
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gwats writes:
There is nothing more scary on our roads than some know- it- all teenager playing 'you bet your life' with his first car, be it an old rust bucket or a top of the line new car courtesy of over indulgent parents or other relations. They speed, cut off other drivers, play their 'music?' so loud they can't hear approaching emergency vehicles, tailgate you when they think you are driving too slow, and die in stupid wrecks at a higher rate than any other drivers on the road.
They are our babies in adult clothes. Let give this a try. If it saves one life, it's worth it.
September 2, 2008
3:58 a.m.
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roger44 writes:
I see a lot of adults that need a warning sticker on their cars. Phone in the ear, sandwich in their hand, and no attention being paid to the driving. I've thought about painting the ole pickup fluorescent orange so they know I'm there.
September 2, 2008
5:50 a.m.
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commoncents writes:
Well there you have it! Stickers for everyone. I have always thought that a spike on the steering wheel instead of an airbag would improve drivers of all ages. The false sense of security makes people think they will walk away from accidents and not give driving the attention and respect that it deserves.
September 2, 2008
6:31 a.m.
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VVVV writes:
Teens need real driver education, as do most adults. Everyone needs to learn how to handle a car in an emergency situation, especially on snow and ice. A performance driving school, experience on a track or autocross, and lots of practice in a safe environment is what you need to be a safe driver. Anything less, and this sticker is about as little as you can get, is just stupid.
September 2, 2008
7:09 a.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
How about stickers for Cell Phone user's "I Spent All My Driving Lesson Money On This Really Cool Cell Phone"... or.. "Red Light?? What Red Light??".
September 2, 2008
7:13 a.m.
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peter303 writes:
No warning needed. You can see in ten seconds how carefully someone is driving.
September 2, 2008
7:31 a.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
I think that in Japan the student drivers are marked very well. And if you get into an accident with one, it is your fault no matter what since you were supposed to avoid the student driver at all costs.
September 2, 2008
7:33 a.m.
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rushrulesbaby writes:
What's next, stickers for people over the age of 50? This is a slippery slope. Hmmmm, ever notice the party of the slippery slope advocates? Hint, they love Obambi!
September 2, 2008
8:45 a.m.
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Sensible writes:
I am a conservative, not religous, registered as an independent (just an fyi so you know where I stand)
Warning stickers are an OUTSTANDING idea.
I'm surpsrised that a Democrat and I are seeing eye to eye.
Just think when you were a kid and felt invincible. A "Warning Sticker" on your car would definitely take the edge off of cool, and maybe you would just drive to school rather than try to make a statement and get somebody killed.
September 2, 2008
9:20 a.m.
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Kslayer writes:
What a Great Idea by this young man. He should be proud of himself. We all remember what its like when we first started to drive. It's a ruthless world out there on the road. I know that when I see one of those Student Driver cars, I always move away to give the kid some room and maybe a smile to let him/her know that I've been there too. If there is a chance that one of these stickers might save one persons life, then it's worth it.
September 2, 2008
9:51 a.m.
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Firedewd writes:
Couple of problems I see is it could make them a target for harrasment from older teens. Also, it lets other people know that there is a young person in the car. A good idea for the decent people on the roads, an advertisement for the bad.
September 2, 2008
10 a.m.
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Bagel writes:
"It lets other people know that there is a young person in the car"
I think a thing called "sight" could also accomplish that.
September 2, 2008
10:02 a.m.
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Truth writes:
Forget about energy and transportation issues. Let's focus on the really important things, like stickers. Fischer is a joke. Vote for Donna Gallup, HD53.
September 2, 2008
10:21 a.m.
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Firedewd writes:
"I think a thing called "sight" could also accomplish that."
"Sight" doesn't seem to work so good thru tinted windows or at night.
September 2, 2008
10:24 a.m.
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mytwosense writes:
That's a slippery slope. What's next? Do the elderly have to slap a sticker on their car? What about some of us (ahem) who have had more than one speeding ticket in their lives? Will we have to deface our cars with a big sticker, too?
Dumb idea. And this is from someone who recently almost got swiped by a teen driver who wasn't paying attention when she veered out of the gas station.
Just give them better training and more practice.
September 2, 2008
10:41 a.m.
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COLibertarian writes:
Exactly MTS. Very well said.
September 2, 2008
10:58 a.m.
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junglegymco writes:
Rushrantsbaby -
It IS a slippery slope, but slippery slopes aren't owned by a single party. Repubs are just as guilty (Look at the unconstitutional spying on Americans that's happened under the repubs as a result of a very slippery slope).
This is a bad idea and it doesn't address the larger problem of cell phone users who have been statistically shown to be more dangerous than drunk drivers. It'd also be nice to make a law that says if you're in an accident in which you didn't use your turn signal and should have, then you are automatically 50% at fault. I can't count the number of times I've seen some idiot switch lanes, make a sudden turn, etc. without a turn signal. I think those dolts should be given at least 50% blame if someone plows into them because they're too damn lazy to signal.
September 2, 2008
11:02 a.m.
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Steve_In_Denver writes:
Not sure I agree with the idea...I could see scam artists targeting these cars for financial gain because of the perceived at fault issues.
September 2, 2008
11:09 a.m.
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JluvDC writes:
I don't like it. Recently there have been incidents of people posing as cops....a younger driver would be less likely to recognize someone as a fake and be at greater risk of being targeted by those creeps.
September 2, 2008
11:32 a.m.
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ghostie writes:
Great Point Steve ID, hadn't thought of that - I definitely see the potential for insurance discrimination.
My main issue with this is the passing of yet another law to enforce.
"Fischer responded that during a pilot program, he wouldn't envision penalties for those who don't post decals. He just wants to see whether the effort can cut down on accidents and save lives."
So instead of spending our tax dollars on legislation for something we aren't really even regulating, how about a voluntary pilot program? I'm sure a lot of parents/teens would agree to participate. If the program is wildly successful, then they can enact a law. I just honestly can't believe it will make that much difference. Cars have glass windows, after all; it's pretty easy to SEE a young driver. I suppose I can see a small impact on road rage, but I doubt it would impact the accident rate.
September 2, 2008
11:39 a.m.
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SPL writes:
It's part of a wider problem I think, although the sticker would at least give other motorists a heads up regarding the inexperienced driver ahead. It's a voluntary system in the UK and when I do go back to visit I at least know to give them a wider berth.
Kids aren't responsible enough to be in charge of a 2-ton weapon, and flame me if you want, but 18 should be the minimum age before a kid sits down to drive. The drivers ed here is a joke (I'm from the UK where I originally learned to drive) and the driving test could be done by a chimp missing its left leg. Kids have too much going on IMO and jumping into a car with your mates generally leads to stupid behavior.
September 2, 2008
11:48 a.m.
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luvmylabs writes:
As a parent who is currently in the process of teaching a teenager to drive, I think this is a great idea. There are so many drivers on the road that think they are the only driver on the road. To give other drivers out there a heads up that they are behind or even in close proximaty to an inexperienced driver would be a good idea.
September 2, 2008
11:49 a.m.
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KING writes:
What a stupid idea..... warning stickers..please...Here is an idea...lets teach the kids to drive properly. Besides, why do we need to outcast a group of people? As was mentioned eariler...there will be stickers for old people, stickers for people who have a DUI, stickers for people who are short and cant see over the wheel, etc. Moreover, what about all those people who cant read the sticker or are color blind, or are too busy reading the sticker that they are distracted and cause an accident?
Someone ought to strangle this lawmaker (no suprize it was a dumocrat, they only want to get into our personal lives that much more).
September 2, 2008
11:50 a.m.
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Elwood writes:
Isn't this profiling? If we can do this, why can't we use profiling to stop illegal immigration and terrorists?
September 2, 2008
11:58 a.m.
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Dick_Tater writes:
When I was 16, I was broadsided by a drunk who blew through a red light. If I would have had a sticker on my car, it might have led the officer to look more closely at me and not the drunk. We want to blame young drivers for our woes, but it is wrong. If you look at the fatalities over the weekend, none were caused by teen drivers. So why focus on people who have not done anything wrong? Why not tag cars of people with DUI's, multiple speeding tickets and those who seem to collect moving violations. If there is anyone we ( and the police ) need to pay attention to, it is them. Until someone has deemed themself a menace, why should we mark them?
September 2, 2008
12:02 p.m.
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JustSayin writes:
"If it saves one life, it's worth it." excuse me while I gag and retch
September 2, 2008
12:06 p.m.
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Bagel writes:
Making 18 the legal age to start driving will only shift the age you find the worst drivers. I, for one, would like kids to have the most experience possible before they get to college and drinking age.
I do agree though that our driving tests are a joke, and should be stricter.
September 2, 2008
12:12 p.m.
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davies writes:
Stupid idea. Since this is a typical band-aid solution, I find the use of a decal to be highly symbolic.
Note that the intent of the decal is for other drivers to be more patient and cautious around a learning permit driver. It is NOT supposed to warn you of aggressive, careless and/or reckless drivers, young or otherwise, most of whom would already have their license anyway. And when it comes to aggressive/careless drivers, what good would a bumper sticker warning be anyway? Are you supposed to tailgate them less?
But yes, by all means, let's pass another law and add a little more to our ever-expanding bureaucracy, so we can feel like we accomplished something.
September 2, 2008
12:13 p.m.
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Disgusted_in_Denver writes:
Yet another completely ridiculous idea. A sticker on the window does what to make us safer? The accidents that occur by motorists from 16-19 could be prevented by having these stickers how? Does the sticker also serve as a breathalyzer that prevents the ignition from being started by an underage drunks? Does it magically infuse sense into a teenager who is trying to impress friends or the opposite sex by being silly and crazy? You want to make a difference lawmakers, why not bump the driving age to 18? Why not make drivers education mandatory in high school? Better yet why not improve public transportation so we have a cheaper, more affordable way of getting around that does not involve every red blooded American motoring. Oh but the sticker will make a difference! This is just ridiculous.
September 2, 2008
12:23 p.m.
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KING writes:
And another thing against stickers...if they are used for teen drivers, it won't work because most teens dont own their own car. So you would have a bunch of parents driving cars with the stickers on them, which of course defeats the purpose of the sticker.
How about we put a sticker on all Dumocrats cars so we can be sure to hit them.
September 2, 2008
12:30 p.m.
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theguyoverthere writes:
I like the idea as long as they add a registration number to it with a How's My Driving Number so when they are driving like they know they shouldn't, they can get busted for it.
September 2, 2008
12:34 p.m.
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SPL writes:
As I recall, the idea was made by a student to Rep. Fischer.
Sure the idea has its flaws, but it isn't a matter of politics. What is it with you republicans always rubbishing stuff offered by someone who happens to be from a particular political party? No wonder the yanks are falling further behind other countries in areas like education - you can't for one moment see past your own selfish ideals. No unity here fo sho.
September 2, 2008
12:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
theguyoverthere writes:
Hey don't be dissin the republicans, I am one and I think it is a good idea. This has nothing to do with political party's, just personal opinions.
September 2, 2008
12:51 p.m.
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mytwosense writes:
Well, I'm a liberal and I don't like the idea.
September 2, 2008
1:01 p.m.
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EnlightenedOne writes:
I remember the "Baby On Board" signs that one could hang in the back window.
Makes me wonder if a voluntary identification of some type wouldn't make more sense than passing a law requiring a sticker.
September 2, 2008
1:31 p.m.
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Colorado_Kid303 writes:
Ya know what? I am a 17 year old kid who thinks that this is stupid, I dont know what some of you are saying! alot of the teens on the road now are better drivers then most people who have been driving for years, so i dont find why people have the urge to say that almost all the bad drivers have to be teens, just the other day I saw a guy in his early 60's through mid 70's on his cell phone and drinking a soda on my way to school, in all reality YOU have no right to complain until people that are older in age need to be fixed.
September 2, 2008
1:35 p.m.
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hmmm writes:
Here's an idea - raise the driver's age to 17 for anything but farm vehicles, and then eliminate the extraneous, convoluted rules guiding their conduct. As it stands, most young drivers are so restricted by rules, it isn't worth it to get your license until later anyway.
The mish-mash of rules for young drivers is getting out of control. Rather than add another rule to an already confusing set of rules, make the age higher and let the youngster mature a little more. A year can make a huge difference in terms of confidence & common sense. I know I didn't have the confidence or maturity to get behind the wheel at 15 for drivers ed. Neither did many of my classmates. Why pressure them for such maturity at 15/16? Why do they need to drive at 16? Let them be kids for a bit longer.
That said, kudos are in order to the youth who suggested this for getting it to a legislator).
September 2, 2008
2:11 p.m.
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theguyoverthere writes:
Colorado_Kid303, your statement alone proves how immature and unrealistic teenage drivers really are.
September 2, 2008
2:30 p.m.
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riverrafter writes:
Actually, George Carlin had a great idea....
He thought all drivers should be given little dart guns that shoot flags with suction cups attached that said "idiot" on them. If a cop saw you driving with three flags stuck to your car, he pulled you over and gave you a ticket for being an idiot!
For those of you with no sense of humor....I'm kidding.
September 2, 2008
2:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
cdmdenver writes:
Stickers? Just what the Predators Need!
I can see it now, predators just licking their chops,
bad idea. How about outlawing cell phone for people
under 21, while operating a vehicle, turn down the
music- live longer and safer.
September 2, 2008
2:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
4gColoNative writes:
Re: "he and his buddies faced blaring horns, screaming motorists and more than a few single raised fingers when they started to drive."
No doubt! Just the other day, in front of me a teenage driver and pals are making the right turn through/into a long continuous lane ahead (marked as such) ... and they abruptly stop! I didn't rear-end them, as I'm prepared for the bonehead maneuvers of others. But it sure irritated me that they put me in the realm of getting a ticket and paying an insurance deductible.
I suppose a sticker on their vehicle *might* have caused me to give them a little more latitude.
Mandatory driver education, not stickers.
September 2, 2008
2:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
clyde writes:
Ah, yes. Just another little division. Old v young. Black v white. Dem v Rep. Male v female. Poor v rich. Lazy v industrious. Let's have little stickers of some kind for EVERYONE. Then we can each be our own little individual society.
September 2, 2008
4:32 p.m.
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Buckwheat writes:
What happened to Drivers Ed in school? If I remember correctly, it worked out pretty good.
September 2, 2008
4:53 p.m.
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MGD writes:
ColoradoKid,
I think the accident rate shows that teens are far more likely to be in/cause an accident than more experienced drivers. Of course we can all cite new examples of poor driving every day we commute. Examples of poor driving are displayed daily for every age group.
You think this is a poor idea, can you come up with something better? If the accident rate for teens is four times higher than for more experienced drivers, what can be done to bring that number down?
People who comment on these types of ideas generally like them or trash them but only a few come up with solutions. What solution do you have?
Personally I would like to have the authority to sticker people's cars. I would carry more "Driving while moronic" stickers than any other.
September 2, 2008
5:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
303Centennial writes:
By the time you get close enough to read the decal, you're too close and creating a greater hazard. There is also an expectation of privacy -- which shocks me even more that a Dem would suggest such a solution. Also, let's put a flag on the car for predators. What are you thinking????
Let teach responsibility and set an example for our children and future drivers. Slow down, be patience (STOP THE ROAD RAGE PARENTS), and let's demonstrate safe and responsible driving. The adults and parents share a great part of the blame by demonstrating poor judgment, driving skills, and road rage. Let's all take accountability for ourselves and stop sweeping the blame under the legislatures carpet for them to create more unnecessary laws......Smaller government involvement people!!!
September 2, 2008
6:36 p.m.
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River_Bolden writes:
more crazy Law Enforcement here in NYC
"Outrageous Fines"
$350 for honking your car horn
$1000 for not picking up your dog's poo.
check out my blog
http://www.scratchpadnews.blogspot.com/
-River Bolden
September 2, 2008
9:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
DieselWeasel writes:
I used to teach driver's ed for a private driving school with conspicuously marked cars. Some people (and not just teenagers) think it's great sport to provoke student drivers with dangerous maneuvers. Did some of you miss this will only apply to drivers with learners permits, not licensed drivers? That means an adult will always be in the car, no more risk to predators than any other situation. If you're a parent, nothing is stopping you from buying a big magnetic sign and putting it on your car.
The skill of driving comes with practice. Maturity is quite another matter. Some kids are very mature at 16 and ready to drive. Some should never get a license...at any age! DMV just needs to figure out how to sort them out. One more thing. Every learner has already spent 15 years learning to drive...by watching his parents. You'd be surprised how much they pick up, both good and bad.
September 3, 2008
10:33 a.m.
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BigSky182 writes:
According to last night's news broadcast on channel 9, the Rocky has the facts in error.
According to the news, this would make decals available, for a dollar or two, to those who choose to use them.
That's a bit different than "would have to display triangle decals on the back windows of their primary vehicles."
Don'cha think?
September 3, 2008
11:30 a.m.
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Colorado_Kid303 writes:
To ALL of you who supported this page Me not you, have personally chosen to think that not all drivers are good JUST LAST NIGHT i was cut off by one of the OLDER drivers so to all of you who complained about my comment make sure you are not sitting there yelling at kids who are driving poorly before you go and judge others for their personal skills. An adult behind a wheel is just as dangerous as a teen KEEP THAT IN MIND
September 3, 2008
11:44 a.m.
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Colorado_Kid303 writes:
Also, some thing MGD wrote got me thinking, a method to farm out those who drive horridly would be to make every one retake said driving test and make them PROVE they are the drivers they state they are, but instead of having a proctor or a person sitting there dictating how they drive there are actual machines capable of maintaining a record of how the driver dose. I say we should have this installed to improve the safety of the other drivers. (Support your local Robotics teams to make this capable of being created or helped) thank you.
September 12, 2008
6:36 p.m.
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Drizzit writes:
It sounds like a great idea, but it's a pandoras box that you should not jump into lightly. If you did this it would open up color codes for sex offenders, DUI idiots, Aggressive drivers etc... I think it would be more equitable to limit passengers in teen vehicles and gps devices if you want to pony up the money. They can tell how fast the driver was going, and if they were speeding on my rental car.