By John Cichowski
ROAD WARRIOR COLUMNIST

Is it likely that predators will prey on New Jersey teens who now must stick Graduated Driver License decals on their license plates? Or is it likely that these tiny red identifiers will prevent serious crashes — even deaths?

These questions are no longer local. Decal opponents point to the Miami region, where thugs were able to prey on tourists because their rental-car plates were coded. But advocates say safety benefits override these concerns. They point to Great Britain and Australia, where adult drivers often stop to assist GDL-labeled drivers in trouble. Decal-inspired attacks on teens have not been reported in these countries, nor in the state of Georgia and our own Monmouth County, where pilot decal programs were begun.

Are such comparisons exact?

Critics say no. In Georgia and Monmouth, for example, the identifiers were voluntary, not compulsory. And some believe cultural differences negate comparisons with countries where driving is done on the left side of the road instead of the right. As Wayne reader Peter Smith noted, Britain's GDL identifier is required only for those practicing for a road test, and they must be accompanied by an adult driver.

"This avoids the possibility of young drivers being targeted by predators," Peter reasoned.

"Avoid" may be too strong a word, but he has a point — except for Australia. There, as in New Jersey, GDL licensees may drive alone — with identifiers. But in 30 years, teens have not been singled out for attack this way.

"Never!" said Ian Faulks, an Australian psychologist and safety expert. Faulks, once responsible for monitoring road safety Down Under, interviewed novice Aussie drivers upon learning of the New Jersey controversy.

"Boys and girls and their parents have been very surprised," he said. One young driver told him identifiers simply "show we may be more likely to hesitate or make a mistake."

"You can always lock the doors," a young woman told him.

Some standards differ, however, between the former British penal colony in the Pacific and the mid-Atlantic colony that helped lead the American Revolution. For example, Australians may drink at 18. Aussie identifiers are much larger than New Jersey's tags, too. And unlike our program, novice Aussie drivers of all ages must get GDLs.

But the main reason that Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Japan and New Jersey require decals is the same: Without them, police are unable to recognize GDL drivers who must obey driving curfews, passenger limitations and hands-free cellphone restrictions that prevent novice crashes, injuries and deaths.

Although there have been no reports of predator-related teen fatalities linked to GDL identifiers in these four nations — none! — the number of teen deaths caused by car crashes in the United States is extraordinary:

Nearly 6,000 annually! That's 12 percent of all fatal crashes.
Isn't it likely that decal enforcement of the GDL law could save some of those lives?

Here are more decal questions:

Q. If a court has ruled that it's constitutional for New Jersey police to stop teen drivers with decals if they're believed to be violating the GDL law, shouldn't it be constitutional for Arizona police to stop drivers believed to be illegal aliens? Jack Velten, River Edge

These examples have little in common. The Arizona controversy rests on the issue of racial, or cultural, profiling, which is barred by the Constitution. The New Jersey controversy rests on the issue of driving standards, competency and safety, which states are required to regulate.

Q. Since 18-year-olds are adults who may vote, join the military, buy real estate and be tried for a crime, why aren't driving restrictions for this age group unconstitutional? Isn't it absurd that a 20-year-old needs state permission to drive to his or her job to comply with the GDL curfew? James Hughes, Dumont

Many restrictions, such as buying alcohol, cover 18-year-olds. Government's foremost responsibility is to protect the public welfare, which includes reasonable safety restrictions on public accommodations such as roads. So, it's not unreasonable for states to impose age-based safety restrictions on novices who use dangerous equipment on public thoroughfares. As a deputy attorney general noted in a Superior Court hearing on this issue, age is not protected under federal privacy statutes. Moreover, the New Jersey driving curfew is waived for GDL holders who carry proof showing they must drive to work between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

E-mail cichowski@northjersey.com