Judge lauded for teen driver program

Johns Creek Municipal Court Judge Don Schaefer has received the Special Recognition Award from the Georgia Council of Municipal Judges for his work on the city's STOP (Solicitor. Teen. Officer. Parent.) program.

The teen safe driving effort set up by police and municipal court officials is aimed at reducing the number of teen traffic accidents and repeat young traffic law violators. It's a 90-minute class taught by the judge and police volunteers combining lecture, humor, demonstrations, videos and photos aimed at educating drivers in that age bracket.

The award recognizes municipal court judges who have come up with innovative new programs, and was presented at a recent judges council meeting and seminar. Schaefer said the intervention program launched in 2007 has been a team effort and was begun after the city noticed a disproportionate number of young traffic violators in the city.