Rafano to sit on state's new teen driving panel
M iddlesex County Freeholder Christopher D. Rafano, of South River, has been named to the New Jersey Teenage Driver Safety Study Commission, which is charged with studying and evaluating a wide range of topics and programs associated with teenage drivers.

State Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts (D-5) appointed Rafano to the commission. In a letter addressed to Rafano, Roberts wrote that the group will evaluate the availability and effectiveness of driver education and training programs for teens, assess the problems of driving under the influence and aggressive driving among teens, and consider and evaluate the role of defensive driving and accident prevention programs.

The 15-member commission also will examine the types of motor vehicle violations that are contributing factors in teenage driving accidents and address any other issues the commission deems necessary, Roberts wrote.

After six months, the commission will present its findings to the state Legislature, which will review the findings and decide if they warrant legislation.

"I am excited about this opportunity to serve and be an active participant on the Teenage Driver Safety Study Commission," Rafano said. "As the father of two sons, one of whom will be driving in the not-so-distant future, I put my children's safety and welfare first. This commission will do exactly the same thing as we set out to study the things that are working, the things that aren't and what we can do to better protect the state's teenage drivers."

State Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D-19), of Sayreville, sponsored legislation to create the commission and recommended Rafano to the Assembly speaker. He said New Jersey's population density and the fact that millions of commuters use the roads every year may impact the way teens handle and navigate roads throughout the state. These facts also account for the reports and statistics placing New Jersey's teen drivers among the most accident-prone drivers in the state, he said.

"It is our hope that by bringing legislators, residents and automotive safety experts together to discuss and review the problem of teen driver safety that we will be able to better educate and protect our teen drivers," Wisniewski said.

Rafano, who is chairman of Middlesex County's Law and Public Safety Committee, said he is "always looking for ways to further protect our residents."

"I believe this study commission will effectively break down the issue and make solid recommendations that can have real results as we work to keep our children safe," Rafano said.