Methuen City Councilor Deborah Quinn has proposed a program to affix “student driver” magnets onto the cars of young drivers, hoping to create additional safety for younger drivers. Her hope, that such identification would help to buffer younger drivers from overly aggressive drivers, has been picked up by statewide safe driving advocates in the hope of creating a state program through the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Quinn’s program, offered as a voluntary aid to young drivers, has been assisted by Commonwealth Motors President Charles Daher. An Eagle-Tribune story points out:

Already more than 150 area parents have picked up one of the car magnets for their teenaged drivers at Commonwealth Motors in Lawrence. They’ve been available for free for a little more than a month.

“We have them on display on the cars in the showroom, and people say that’s a great idea,” dealership owner Charles Daher said.

And statewide safe driver advocates are now approaching State Senator Steve Baddour in an attempt to push the program statewide.

Julia Rodriguez thought the magnets – meant to stave off road rage against teens just learning to drive – were a great idea when she heard about them. Her daughter, Amanda Nadeau, was killed last year when the teen driver she was riding with crashed his BMW on Route 128 in Wakefield. The driver died also. A backseat passenger survived.

Baddour seems enthusiastic, and told the Tribune:

Already, Baddour said, he’s getting positive feedback about the idea.

“It’s actually been very helpful to have Deb Quinn in Methuen and Commonwealth Motors sort of implementing this pilot program,” he said. “If it’s optional and voluntary and it’s working, I think it’s a better way than mandating it.”

Congrats to Councilor Quinn for her good idea. Should this program go statewide, and should any portion be mandatory? (Including mandates for additional driver training).

Link to the Eagle-Tribune story here.

Email Deb Quinn at drq270@yahoo.com