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Dear Barbara,

Kindly accept this letter supporting your activities to see graduated licensing instituted throughout the United States.

The Province of Ontario, Canada instituted graduated licensing several years ago. The process has three stages. It begins with a learner’s permit where the novice driver must have an accomplished driver in the front seat at all times. The novice driver is restricted from major highways and neither the novice driver nor accomplished driver can have any level of alcohol in their blood. The next stage, after an on-road exam, allows the novice driver to drive independently, but not yet on major highways, nor in the middle of the night, nor with any alcohol what-so-ever. Finally the third stage allows the driver full privileges.

As a parent of a 16 year old boy, I became aware that with partial or full independent driver privileges our son will be out-of-sight and we would have no recourse to be apprized of any untoward driver behavior. We felt that another level was required to compliment the graduated licensing and take over where it leaves off. Hence we have developed the I Promise Program. The program consists of a comprehensive parent-teen contract that spells out mutual obligations and expectations with respect to the privilege of driving. In addition the car is affixed with a rear window decal with a clearly visible toll free number. The decal identifies the driver as novice and invites the community to make reports, positive or critical on driver behavior. The calls are taken by a call center and a call report is delivered to the parent (owner) of the vehicle.

We are in the process of introducing our initiative to insurers who we expect will appreciate the implications of reducing injuries on lowering the cost of claims.

We are so impressed that your efforts have persuaded the state of New Jersey to implement graduated licensing and appreciate the hard work you yet have ahead of you taking on so many other states. You inspire us.

Keep up the good work. Many unknowing parents in New Jersey have you to thank for the safe return of their children each night.

Kind regards,

Gary Direnfeld, Executive Director
www.papyrusgraphix.com/ipp