Ashley
As the red and blue lights shine in Michele Tracey's rear view mirror of her car, she slowly pulls
over to the side of the road. At 9:30 in the evening, she thought she was pulling over to let an
ambulance get around her in time. She soon came to realize that the lights were coming from a
police car that pulled behind her. She sighs, grips the steering wheel with both hands and leans
her head back against the headrest. When she notices the officer step out of his car from her side
view mirror, she begins to look around frantically for her license, registration and insurance card.
As she is fumbling through her center console, the police officer walks up to her window.
“License, registration and insurance please.”
Those are the three most horrifying words for teens. Getting pulled over is something that most
people have to face at some point in their life. However, most teens struggle with handling the
situation. The way most teens react and the reasons that teens are pulled over seem to be a
constant question in many minds.
“A lot of people seem to think it is a good idea to cry, especially for girls, but it is not mature,”
Tracey said. “It seems like the best idea to me if teens just act maturely and talk respectfully to
the police officers, maybe the police officers will be willing to give them a break on the spot or
compromise in court.”
Teens at times will pretend that they did nothing wrong when the police officer approaches the
car. However, this may cause the officer to question your responsibility.
Officer Louis Hiribik of the Flemington Boro Police Department thinks that teens should act
respectful and accept what you are given. He said,” Don’t ever argue with the officer on the side
of the road even if you think you did nothing wrong. It just gives the officer more of a reason to
become agitated and write more tickets. Just take the ticket and be on your way, argue it in court
if you feel the need to.”
Hirbik added, “People in their 20s and 30s are statistically pulled over the most. The common
problem is speeding and that they all are just in a rush whether it is trying to get to work or to their
friends house. When teens first get their license they seem scared and are careful about their
driving but the more confident they become the worse of drivers they are.”
Justin Bay, a seventeen-year-old high school student feels that speeding is a major problem for
teens. He says, “I think speeding is the reason why teens are pulled over so often and given
tickets. I mean at times it seems like we may be targeted more than other drivers but its
something that we all have to get used to. I know I’m guilty of speeding at times. No one is
perfect.”
“I definitely handled it the wrong way. I was so mad that he followed me for a few minutes that I
just started talking back to him. I think that if I handled it differently the cop would have reacted
differently to me as well. If I were pulled over again in the future I would definitely just be nice
to the cop and make sure I have everything ready for the cop.” Bay concluded.
All drivers should have everything ready for the officers when asked because the fine for not
having the insurance, license, or registration has increased from $44 to $173 for only missing one
of the three. However, if all three of them are missing or are not available when the officer
approaches the car then the fine is then increased to $519.
However, the frustration is not over when the ticket is handed out and the police officer has pulled
away.
According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website, a teen can receive anywhere
from a two point ticket to a five point ticket depending on the amount over the speed limit. The
amount of increase on insurance rates depends on how many points the ticket is for.
Paul Spera, an insurance agent with State Farm, said that for his company there is an increase in
rates after a ticket. ” On average a teen can expect a 35% increase for a two point ticket, a 50%
increase for a chargeable accident. Also, violations are on an insurance record for three years,
they do not come off your record as they do on the DMV's record. So an individual pays for that
ticket or accident for three years.”
“Tickets make rates go up. I understand that most people on the road are going faster than the
speed limit, but just realize how much that ticket will truly cost over the period of three years.
Most of my new drivers either get into an accident or get a ticket within the first 18 months of
having their license.”
Traffic stops are very costly and require a great deal of responsibility and respect. From not
having all the documents to the fines paid at court as well as how tickets or accidents can affect
insurance rates, teens are pressed for a lot of money. When teens are driving, the decisions they
make are reflected upon themselves. A driver should always be prepared for the consequences of
any decision they may make.
Tracey looks up at the officer as he hands her information back to her along with a ticket.
She slowly puts up her hand and removes the papers from his hand. She looks down at
them and notices the tinted yellow thick ticket in her hand. Tracey turns over to her friend
in the passenger seat and rolls her eyes. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she notices that
the police officer is back in his car and she puts her car in drive and slowly pulls off onto
the highway.
Teens need to be aware of their driving although at sometimes they may be in denial
about it. “Personally I didn’t think I was really speeding but he claims to have it on radar.
I wasn’t going to fight him there on the side of the road. It ultimately came down to my
word against his in court so I just ended up taking the ticket,” Tracey said.
“Ever since I got my ticket, I have obeyed the speed limit and became more of a defensive and
responsible driver. I certainly do not want to deal with all the stress of another ticket. It’s just not
worth it. I’ll get to where I need to go eventually, no need for speeding.”
After receiving her first ticket, Tracey has controlled her driving. Although her friends may think
she is driving slowly, she has made a decision to follow the speed limit and become a responsible
driver. She has learned that the consequences are not worth the stupidity of teenage driving. “I
just hope that more and more teens become responsible drivers before teenage drivers begin
endangering others. It goes far past teens having fun when driving, they need to learn to act
responsible and accept the consequences for their actions while driving.”