Sticker on teenager's car will attract unsavory people to Jackson
There is a need to express my concern about placing youth driving stickers on our teenagers' cars. While I agree an awareness program is desperately needed, I have to disagree with the way this sticker goes about it. First allow me share a few major concerns with you.

One issue important to me is that by placing a sticker on a youthful driver's automobile, you may be inviting sexual predators to the area. These mindless creatures of society do not need any additional help in locating our young children.

Also, I find placing a warning label on every new operator to be discriminatory. You are assuming that every new driver is a threat and an accident waiting to happen.

With this so-called safety plan in motion, I have to ask this question, who's next? Will it stop teenagers from getting into accidents? What will a young driver be thinking anytime a police cruiser is in their rearview mirror? Will it cause them to concentrate less on where they are driving because that police car is behind them without them knowing why?

These are some serious concerns that I and many other parents have. Is the responsible motorist who happens to own a sportier car next? Or will it be a senior that possibly is more cautious driving around town? Tell us how labeling cars will prevent accidents, (Jackson Councilman Angelo) Mr. Stallone?

Since its inception how many parents actually came forward to pick up these "watch out" stickers? You may say I don't care about our young drivers by being against this plan of yours. Well, I am no stranger to motor vehicle tragedy either; we suffered a terrible loss three years ago. Motor vehicle accidents know no age, gender or religion. No sticker will ever protect a driver, young or old.

Let the law enforcement community do their job, and that is to enforce the laws already in place. Let's offer the young driver the means to learn through education from traffic-safety programs and other avenues of advanced driver education.

Offer them support by telling them the police department wants to ensure their safety on and off the road, not just to issue violations. All parents and guardians play an important role, too. It is essential for us to talk to our children about the dangers that occur to new drivers. Parent responsibility does not end when we hand over the keys.

Will these measures prevent tragedy from striking? I can only pray it does. But if anything, a proactive role by showing our children we love them is a whole lot better than placing a 4-inchsquare sticker on their car along with a threat.

Michael Reina

Jackson