New Program Helps Monitor Teen Driving

Parents of teenage drivers can now monitor their child's driving and young drivers can be reminded of the importance of safety with Mackinac County Sheriff's Department's new teenage driver notification system.

The STOPPED program (Sheriffs Telling Our Parents and Promoting Educated Drivers) is a voluntary program that provides parents with a sticker to put on vehicles to notify officers that if the driver is pulled over for any reason, the parents will be immediately notified.

The program is funded through AAA.

"It gives parents a new tool to immediately address risky driving behavior by their teens," said Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. "But, just as important, it also lets our children know that we care."

Mackinac County is one of 64 counties in Michigan participating in the program.

Parents can simply register their vehicle online at www.michigansheriff. com. They will then be mailed a STOPPED sticker to be placed on the windshield. It serves as a reminder to young drivers to drive safely and responsibly. They will also be reminded that should they get pulled over, a letter regarding the incident will be immediately sent to their parents.

Information in the letter will include the time, location of the incident, the number of passengers, the reason for the stop, and whether a citation was issued.

STOPPED was a pilot program in seven Michigan counties in 2005 and was expanded to 27 counties in 2006 with the support of AAA Michigan.