Law intended to help enforce graduated licencing programs falls flat: IIHS

A New Jersey law intended to help police officers enforce graduated licence requirements has failed to lead to better compliance with the restrictions, an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study has found.
Since May 1, 2010, New Jersey has required all drivers younger than 21 with learner’s permits or probationary licences to display red reflective decals on their licence plates when they drive.
The theory behind the decals, explained the IIHS, is that they provide police with an easy way to spot a probationary licence or learner’s permit holder. It will therefore help police enforce graduated licencing restrictions.
Researchers surveyed the parents of both probationary drivers and learner permit holders and teen drivers required to use the decal before the requirement came into effect and one year later.
Teens were asked how often they violated probationary driving restrictions in the past month. Before the decals, 17% said they violated the night time driving prohibition. After the decal requirement, this figure rose to 57%, the IIHS reported.