LEONARDTOWN, Md (November 9, 2007)—St. Mary's County Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron today announced a new program designed to keep parents aware of their teenager's driving infractions. The STOPPED (Sheriff Telling Our Parents - Promoting Educated Drivers) program is a voluntary notification system that will ensure parents are notified any time a registered vehicle is stopped by a St. Mary's County Deputy.
According to Cameron, the intent of this program is to keep parents informed, instill good driving habits, and reduce the number of auto accidents involving young drivers. "The program provides young drivers with a visible reminder of parental supervision and provides parents with a means to better inform them of their children's driving behavior," noted Cameron in a released statement. "This program will allow parents to take corrective action and avert potential problems and tragedies."
Parents who wish to participate can register with the Sheriff's Office by completing a registration card for each vehicle that will be operated by a child under the age of 18. Registration can be done online at www.firstsheriff.com or at the Sheriffs Office at 23150 Leonard Hall Road, in Leonardtown.
An identification decal is then affixed to each registered vehicle on the driver's side top left of the rear windshield. If the vehicle is stopped by a St. Mary's County Deputy, the officer completes a notification card with the date, time and location of the stop, the reason for the stop, information on the driver and occupants and if citations or warnings were issued. All notifications will be sent directly to parents by Email or U.S. Mail.