Woman urges vehicle IDs for new motorists
Melissa Haneline
The Post and Courier
Rusty's Driving School student Renee Williamson (left) adjusts her seat and buckles up Wednesday under supervision of Rusty Hires before beginning a driving lesson.
COLUMBIA — Bette Century Thomas has an idea for state government that she thinks will save lives.
Century Thomas of Summerville said the Legislature could make South Carolina roads safer if the state designed incentives for drivers who label their vehicles with magnets to alert others that they are inexperienced.
"If you see that, maybe you give the person a little understanding, a little less road rage," she said.
Rep. Joe Daning, R-Goose Creek, said he likes the idea but has to do some research before deciding whether to introduce a bill when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
"It gives other drivers a heads up," said Daning, who Century Thomas called earlier this week with the proposal. "Sometimes it is a small idea like that, that turns on a light bulb."
Rusty Hires of Rusty's Driving School said he thinks "inexperienced driver" magnets aren't a good idea. He said it would open the new drivers up to harassment.
He has seen that happen. State law requires driving school cars to be marked.
"People are less courteous," he said. "They do mean things, pass incorrectly, tailgate and blow the horn at you.
"They would go after you like a turkey shoot."
Century Thomas said she saw the concept work while she was stationed with the Air Force in Japan. There, inexperienced drivers are given an identifying label for the back of their cars, she said.
Century Thomas said she is not sure what kind of breaks the state could find for using an "inexperienced driver" magnet but thought it would be worth checking out.
She came up with the idea after not being able to shake the news of the deaths of Cushire Akabidavis, 15, and her mother, Christina, who were killed last month when the teen pulled in front of a cement truck on Interstate 26.
Cushire and her twin sister Rishire had just received their learner's permits.
While Century Thomas said she does not think that accident could have been avoided with an "inexperienced driver" magnet, she thinks it will give new drivers a little grace on the roads.
"It is a way of letting society know, 'Have a little patience with this driver,' " Century Thomas said.
Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 24 comment(s)
Posted by ForPnC on June 19, 2008 at 3:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Stand - Those were my exact thoughts.
There are people that would purposely harass these drivers and if there was an accident they would look more at fault.
She was in a totally different country. Folks over there are very submissive to their government and the laws. And punishment is severe.
While it's a nice idea, it's not going to work here in the U.S.
I just tried to post the above and got this message from the PnC:
"Watch your mouth! The words "j-p" are not allowed here."
Posted by ForPnC on June 19, 2008 at 3:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Watch your mouth! The words "j-p" are not allowed here."
I can't spell out the name of the country she got this idea from. It's considered a bad word! ROFL!
Posted by CyndiJustMe on June 19, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"They would go after you like a turkey shoot."
I must admit at first glance, I kind of liked the idea (having one relatively newly licensed driver and one beginning driver in my home at the moment), but I agree with the concerns stated in a uniquely South Carolinian way by Rusty Hires. That quote was the first thing to put me in a positive frame of mind several hours into my day!
Posted by palmettotree on June 19, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I also think it is a bad idea. It wouldn't make the roads any safer and those with road rage...don't give a hoot for anyone else but themselves.
Also if it did pass and it was a magnet...here in Charleston the weather will get so hot it would melt to the car and they wouldn't be able to get it off. Having a window sticker wouldn't help because it would at times blend in.
Posted by number1volsfan1 on June 19, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Better order enough magnets for half of the driving public.
Posted by gococks1985 on June 19, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I applaud her for at least making an effort to try and make things bettter and not be a "busybody". That comment was totally uncalled for. At least she is trying? What have you done to make things better?
Posted by theronce on June 19, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep, good effort, bad idea.
Posted by Girleygirl on June 19, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll give her an "E" for effort but this is a bad idea.
Posted by RTC on June 19, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
raregar, I already have the "native" decal. :)
I am afraid this type of ID would cause some nasty people to mess with new drivers.
Truthfully people on cellphones scare me a whole lot more. They aren't paying attention, where most new drivers are overly cautious because they are nervous.
When I took my second child to the DMV years ago, the security guard told us that a child had just got their licence that week and drove her parents home on the interstate. She wrecked and killed them all. I didn't really like my child to hear this, but now I have to wonder if it wasn't a good thing that she did.
Let your kids know that these things happen, and just maybe it will sink in.
It should be mandatory that all new drivers have to wait at least one year from the time the learner's permit is issued until they can take the driver's test. It gives them a whole lot more time to gain experience before they are turned loose on their own.
Posted by wjhamilton3 on June 19, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We don't even know it this works in the country of Nippon (apparently you can't post the country's actual name on this website, not just the allegedly racist three letter contraction referencing its residents.) Not having been to that country, I know there are some pretty major cultural differences. Kindness and understanding for the vulnerable are hardly a core value in SC culture. I suspect the reaction would be, get out of my way, drive somewhere else and a pounding on the horn.
I know there is a vast difference between traffic behavior in France, Italy and the US. Their reaction to pedestrians, cyclists and smaller vehicles are completely different.
My wife can barely stand driving here now. Our repressive society seems to leave people with no option but to express their anger and frustration on the road. So many parts of SC culture here are completely unresponsive to people, they have very few outlets.
I have to put my son on the road in the next year and we all dread it. We'll do driving classes, but with cars driving 70 fifty feet apart, more than I would like to admit will be in God's hands.
Fortunately he's ridden CARTA with me since he was a baby (I'm too nearsighted to drive) so the pressure to put him on the road isn't that severe. Jackson is comfortable on the bus. He has seen a wreck involving his peers at Wando on the way to school many, many times from the window of the school bus this last school year. He isn't that eager to get out there.
Posted by drp7773 on June 19, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well now if this works, why not signs for all the yardsale stopper people, they are deadly too and don't forget the first time mall driver who can't figure out that those arrows on the road really do mean something or the first time fair driver who cant seem to grasp that those flashlights in front of them are not strobe lights and don't forget the new car buyer or the ones who thinks their cars are sp special they need to park in 2 spots, not only should they be keyed but they need a sign so everyone knows to follow them in the parking lot till they park then park right next to them so close they cant get back in the car. Just a thought
Posted by Girleygirl on June 19, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly Allwoman- What about older drivers, people that can only wear glasses when they are driving....
Posted by JC on June 19, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
STUUUPID!
Posted by RTC on June 19, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think people need to quit stereotyping drivers in SC, period. I was in Colorado last month, and they have crazy drivers too. Every state has their share of irresponsible drivers. I think the main problem is the total lack of manners and people just in too much of a hurry anymore.
It has become a society of all me, and the hell with the rest of you.
Posted by lou9 on June 19, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who in the heck does this woman think she is? Maybe she is the one with the suspect driving skills. This reminds me of NASCAR where a rookie driver is required to have a yellow stripe on his rear bumper. That usually results in him getting a rough lesson in driving. This idea will make it open season on "inexperienced" drivers. By the way, experience doesn't always equate to driving skill. There are some out there that have been driving for a long time and still can't get it right.
I think a better idea would be to have cars equipped with a flashing red light on top that goes off whenever the driver is yakking on a cell phone. Now that would make us safer.
Posted by drp7773 on June 19, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, maybe she can get a free car from the county and ride around with white flashing lights to slow people down when she sees a new driver in the area........
Posted by oldglory on June 19, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmm, I always wind up giving out kudos when I'm late due to breakfast and quick minor chores. But I guess that's good as it allows other commentors to know where I stand.
wjhamilton3 - Well-expressed comments. Thank you.
RTC - love this truism: "It has become a society of all me, and the hell with the rest of you."
raregar67 - ahh, finally my laugh with my late morning coffee! [however, I fall in 'category a' :( ]
Posted by berthelot on June 19, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Only if we start labeling known "bad drivers" as well. Maybe the decal becomes more obnoxious as the driving gets worse.
Posted by katrenavantassle on June 19, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
drp7773 you are hilarious!!!
This is the most rediculous idea I have ever heard of. It's just like putting an "L" on someone's forehead...when their a loser...and its an OPEN INVITATION TO REDICULE AND VICTIMIZATION...IS THIS WOMAN FOR REAL?
I have an idea, lets put a decal on HER car that says "ROOKIE DRIVER" and let her drive back and forth daily on Ashley Phosphate road and "test" it out for one month. I bet she would change her mind about her great idea then.
Posted by katrenavantassle on June 19, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OOPS, I misspelled their...meant "they are",..please forgive me for my mistake. I never claimed to be an expert at spelling anyways...but I still get my point across.
I lived in Dallas for 17 yrs. and they too have wacko drivers. Bad driving is not just in SC... its all over.
Besides, their is enough "LABELING" in this state already.
Posted by Reader on June 19, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The best way to improve safety is to stop issuing licenses - of any kind - to children who are only 15 and 16 years old. And please spare me the torrent of postings about how you were a perfectly competent 15 year old driver or how you know someone even more dangerous in his 90s. This is all about general trends, and while there might be exceptions to the rule, the rule is that 15 and 16 year olds are far more dangerous than other drivers.
Posted by walleyedwoman1215 on June 19, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The craziest drivers I've ever seen were in Idaho and Montana... zipping up and down mountain roads, passing on blind curves with no guardrails and 4,000-foot sheer drop-offs. I think manic motorists are in all 50 states :-)
Posted by berthelot on June 19, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was wondering the same thing Mayor, I look forward to reading Harpo's posts... hope he is well.
Posted by hardatwork on June 19, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No thank you - I am not sure if Thomas and Daning have really thought this through. I do not want inexperienced drivers reading cars with little magnets stuck all over them. Bumper stickers are just beginning to play out (that is a soon as all the LC Knight bumper stickers wear off).