GDL for Law Enforcement

Overview

Teen drivers are involved in fatal crashes at four times the rate of adults.[1] Since its enactment on May 1, 2010, Kyleigh’s Law and other laws included in New Jersey’s Graduated Driver License program have decreased crash fatalities involving teen drivers by more than 47% from 2008 to 2018, according to a 2020 Office of the Attorney General analysis. During that period, the number of passengers under 20 years old killed while riding in a teen-driven car dropped nearly 60%. Even though it has proved effective, officers and teenage drivers said a lack of compliance impedes the law’s impact.

This shows that New Jersey has some of the most effective Graduated Driver’s License laws in the country. However, its effectiveness relies on understanding how and why the laws work and the vital role of law enforcement.

In this block of instruction, officers will not only learn the history of GDL in New Jersey but the importance of their role in enforcing these laws within their communities. They will also learn of the results of the ongoing study by CHOP, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on the effectiveness of New Jersey’s GDL decal.

Objectives

As a result of attending this block of instruction officers will be able to:

Know the history of the Governor’s Teen Driver Study Commission and the changes to the original GDL laws passed in 2001 including the New Jersey’s controversial and unique decal law, “Kyleigh’s Law”.
Understand how New Jersey’s GDL laws are effective in preventing teen crashes and deaths.
Recognize and understand GDL violations in the field and the proper procedures for citing GDL violations under Title 39: Motor Vehicle Law.
Learn the importance of strict enforcement of the GDL laws and their role in the community to help promote overall traffic and public safety.
Learn how to use “positive” reinforcement and other programs such as “Share the Keys” to help promote and educate teens and parents in high school and civic groups.

Activities

This course includes an interactive discussion aimed at sparking the conversation on GDL, its effectiveness and shining a light on the myths surrounding New Jersey’s controversial decal law also known as Kyleigh’s Law and the importance of law enforcements involvement in New Jersey’s overall driver education.