Now, assume the position !
Posted on 6/9/2005, 4:44:22 PM by Millee
Beginning this fall Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies will be pulling over teen drivers who haven't broken any traffic laws.
As part of a new program, deputies will be pulling over teens for safe driving and rewarding them with free movie theater and movie rental certificates.
Uniformed deputies driving unmarked cars will follow the drivers and give out the certificates.
"Deputies will follow them for a short distance, down a thoroughfare and we will watch their driving," said Sgt. Glenn Luben, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. "Once we identify a good safe driver, we attempt to follow them to their house or open shopping area."
Some parents think it's a great idea to reward teens for safe, responsible driving. However, while most agree the reward is nice, some parents are concerned about this method of identifying safe drivers.
"I'd be concerned whether they'd think it's a real police officer pulling them over," says Jennifer Zeitler, parent of a teen driver. "It's scary for parents too. There's so many kidnappings and other things going on; I'd be concerned for my child."
The program was started by an Oldsmar, Fla. man whose son was killed in an accident involving a teen driver. After the program begins this fall, there is a possibility it will spread to other communities.
it's an excuse to roust kids, pull htem over for no reason. if they're clean, give them freebies, else bust them. say goodbye to probable cause.
Somehow I can see this going badly. What if someone panics and takes off on a high-speed chase that ends in a fatality?
This is a horrible idea. If they want to give recognition for good driving, they can send a nice letter or something, but not follow them around.
Can anyone think of a more egregious waste of teens' and police time?
yup...true liberalism at work
Sounds like an excuse to pull people over for no reason ... want to compliment them for good driving ... send them a letter
Actual crime. ;)
But I see your point, and agree this is a waste.
This is a losuy idea.
Deputies should be enforcing the law, not handing out goodies to kids for keeping their car in the correct lane.
Sheez. The sheriff sounds like a weiner.
All performed by a government that constantly complains about a lack of funds.....
Gotta have a carrot to go with the stick.
Whatever, we have to reward people for doing the right thing now? That's crap.
Losuy=lousy
This is just dumb. Yeah, when I am headed somewhere and probably late, that's just what I would want...to be pulled over to be told I was driving well.
Meanwhile nobody is looking out for the bad drivers. If they must do this, just a mail the freebie with a kudos letter to the registered owner. It seems to work fine with photo radar tickets.
Stupid.
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