Posted on 06/09/2005 9:44:22 AM PDT 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.
Gee, no room for interpretation there. So that could never be abused could it? / sarcasm off /
so go after the lousy drivers. don't lump all teens into the same category. many are good drivers. And nobody needs to be open to police hassle regardless of age.
police aren't all good y'know.
"oops! sorry maam, you looked like a teenager to me and I was gonna give you this movie ticket. but since I smell that six pack in your back seat you're just gonnna have to come along downtown and meet the boys."
Then pull over the ones who actually commit a moving violation.
This idea stinks to high heaven. Just another excuse for cops to get around the 4th Amendment and invent probable cause to search a car.
t;won't be long before police take this license to hassle teenagers and use it to hassle anyone and everyone. remember the foot in the door?
or the camle's nose under the tent?
You bet the cops will abuse this.
Cops are not exactly known for their adherence to the Constitution.
Is that really the law there? A kid could lose his license for a cigarette? Good Googamooga. What a craphole.
Heck, I saw where in Maryland they just awarded teens for not drinking alcohol at a post-graduation party by giving out parking citations to everyone in attendence!
Go figure...
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Not enough room for this particular operation. A law enforcement traffic stop of any kind has long been recognized as a government search and seizure.
Lovely idea.................NOT
dumb idea --- YES!
I keep seeing the word "stupid" in various comments. Let's clear the air here. It isn't stupid, in fact it's quite clever and nefarious. It's also illegal and unconstitutional. Other appropriate descriptors might be "unfathomable" or "exceedingly dangerous", but stupid it isn't. It's far worse.
So being pulled over is the big hassle everyone is so concerned about. I believe it was even called a "seizure" here somewhere.
geez i hate to agree with you, but you ARE correct - this is insiduous.
Just like they did with seatbelt laws. At first it was a "secondary" offense...they had to have pulled you over for another infraction before they were able to give a seatbelt ticket.
Then it became a "primary" violation...they can now pull you over and cite you for not wearing one.
Now...they set up roadblocks on holidays.
or the camle's nose under the tent?
The camel is all the way in the tent now.
If the kid is under 18, yes.
Hello, they've already invented all the reasons they could ever need. This is not a new reason in an effort to harass people. Why invent a new one. They could follow you around for 5 blocks and you will make a mistake that gives them a cause. Have you ever been in a military inspection before?
#75
#75
I realize you are one of the "cops can do no wrong" apologists here, so I doubt that you would begin to grasp the Constitutional implications here.
ever been pulled over? it can make the diff between your being on time for work, or being late for an appointment. the cops take thier sweet time checking out your license, registration, insurance, etc. a traffic stop WITHOUT a ticket can cost you a half hour. God help you is you don't have enough tread on your tires.
do you want to be subjected to this every time you drive just because SOME people don't like teenagers driving?
yes, being stopped by the cops IS A hassle. but don't worry, most cops will find SOMETHING to write you up for - just to make it worthwhile.
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