By Sharon A. Harrington, chief administrator, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission 

The recent tragedy in Freehold Borough once again reinforces the magnitude of motor vehicle safety, particularly when it comes to young people. Ensuring that new drivers are well-educated and well-prepared is a collaborative effort. This effort must strongly, clearly, and effectively communicate the significance of driver safety and responsibility. 

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, through its Graduated Driver License Program (GDL), takes new drivers through a step-by-step, experience-building process that assists them toward safely join the ranks of New Jersey’s 6 million motorists. Gradual, behind-the-wheel experience, with mandatory restrictions and requirements, is one part in accomplishing this goal. 

In 2006, the MVC, along with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, published a guide to encourage parents to take an active role in their children’s driver education. Entitled Safe Driving: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Teens, the publication outlines the basics of driver safety and responsibility and how to effectively share that information with a new driver. The guide also covers the important requirements and restrictions of the GDL program.   

On the front lines of driver education are New Jersey schools. Each year, our state’s driver education instructors teach young people the rules of the road, vehicle operation, safety tips, and other necessary information. These individuals and the classes they teach are critical to creating safe drivers. 

In an effort to effectively manage budgets, a number of New Jersey school districts have cut, or have considered cutting, their driver education curriculums. 

In the halls of our schools, driver education may not carry the same weight as science, math and English, but operating a motor vehicle is something a majority of students will eventually do in their lifetime. Given this near-certainty, it is a must that our schools provide thorough driver education programs that will not only compliment the work of parents and the MVC, but also provide knowledge and instill a sense of personal responsibility. 

The MVC cannot do it alone, nor could parents. 

Driver education curriculum is a must for every district in New Jersey. Without it, we let our young people down by not offering them the skills that may one day save their life or that of someone else. I urge each of New Jersey’s districts to help us better prepare our young people – support driver education. 

For more information visit http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/FirstTime.htm