Imagine this. You are 16 years old with a new license. You are driving when suddenly a car full of people, with music blasting, comes flying down the road at you. Being a new driver, you have not had a lot of experience and get nervous, not reacting in time. The driver coming at you hits you, resulting in a terrible car accident. You are killed in this car crash. It is later discovered that other driver was 17 years old, and was not following the laws when they were driving that day.
This story is based on a real event. The 16 year old in this situation was named Kyleigh D’Alessio. Kyleigh was driving, and following all the laws, when another young driver who was not following the laws caused a crash that resulted in her death. Due to this, Kyleigh’s Law was created. Kyleigh’s Law is a law in New Jersey pertaining to motor vehicles and young drivers. The law requires drivers under the age of 21 to buy 2 pairs of red decals and place them on the front and back license plates during their first full year of licensed driving. During that year, the new driver is allowed only one passenger in order to reduce distraction.
Kyleigh’s Law is very important and should be enforced for many reasons. One main, obvious reason is that it is in fact a law. Due to this, it should just be known that this is something that needs to be followed. If caught driving without the red stickers, one can be fined up to $100.
Many people do not follow Kyleigh’s Law, as they feel it is unimportant. People come up with reasons against Kyleigh’s Law that serve as excuses to do what they wish, not what is right. One thing some people say is that the red stickers make them a target by showing they are young, making them more vulnerable. Some consider this dangerous and because of this, they think it is okay to not follow the law. Others argue that it is too much of a hassle to have to take the stickers on and off if they share the car with an adult. This is not a valid excuse. Additionally, others claim that the stickers can be stolen. This is not a common occurrence and is no reason to not follow the law.
People’s excuses are unacceptable because the red stickers do not put the safety of young drivers at risk. Although many parents argue that it points their children out as young, adults often drive with their children’s red stickers on the car. As a result, someone who would commit acts of danger would need to do a physical look at the driver in order to ensure the person driving is who they think they are. The red stickers do not put young drivers at risk anymore than they already are. In fact, Kyleigh’s Law stickers are a way of letting other drivers know that you are a new driver. And although drivers should always be cautious, some may become even more cautious near a new driver. Many people do not follow Kyleigh’s Law, as they feel it is unimportant. Why? Because it is rarely enforced. Often students are pulled over and receive no consequences for their wrongdoing.
Police officers need to better enforce this law. At times, it seems that police officers pick and choose what laws they enforce. This is something that needs to be taken care of because it gives citizens the impression that they can pick and choose what laws they follow. Unless police officers better enforce this law, nothing is going to change. Why should we be expected to follow laws that aren’t being enforced? If the red stickers mean nothing to so many, why is it a law? It was made law for a good reason in the first place. It is about safety. And even with this law, the safety of many is not protected because police officers choose to do nothing with the law that has been created. For the sake of teens, it is time this changes.
