GDL takes center stage in Middletown

At last night's Middletown school board meeting, the issue of "GDL" came up. GDL is a pilot program from Monmouth County, conceived by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, R-Monmouth.

Long story short: "GDL" stands for Graduated Driver's License, which means a 17-year-old driver. The purpose of the sticker is so, I suppose, police know if there are too many people in a car being driven by such a driver.

Drawbacks (not all of them but some of them): Predators and other folks who might have bad intentions will know when there is a young, and perhaps vulnerable, driver behind a wheel. Another issue is one of profiling -- what compelling reason makes this into some kind of sense?

The idea is to save lives, but if that great idea actually ends up putting a life in peril (e.g. the predator scenario) then it's not a great idea. It's not a good idea. It isn't even a fair idea. It's dangerous and unnecessary. But if there is something that government has been in recent years, it's dangerous and unnecessary.

The Middletown school board raised numerous concerns that were echoed by the public at last night's session. Administration was asked for a complete review for the implementation of the program. This will be followed by a public meeting. This is an issue that Middletown parents, whether they are pro or con, should be aware of.

Thompson Middle School Pat Hueston is against this, and he's someone that makes a lot of sense.