A new effort by the state of New Jersey to reduce the number of teen traffic deaths deserves notice by other states, including Pennsylvania.

Beginning May 1, New Jersey will require that a Velcro-backed red decal be affixed to that state's rear and front license plates to identify that a vehicle is being driven by someone with a learner's permit, or by a probationary licensee under 21 enrolled in the state's Graduated Driver License program.

Of course, in Pennsylvania, license plates are issued only for the rear of vehicles.

New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow has said that the decals will give police probable cause to stop teens believed to be violating license restrictions.

Accompanying the decal requirement on May 1 will be a ban on those with a permit or provisional license from driving between 11:01 p.m. and 5 a.m. New Jersey already restricts the number of passengers in a vehicle operated by a teen who has only a permit or provisional license.

New Jersey is the first state to require the tiny red decal. While other states might not want to follow the Garden State's lead quickly, they should nonetheless pay attention to that state's experience with the program.

In addition to the primary goals behind the program, the decals could have other benefits, such as alerting other drivers that the young driver of the slow-moving car ahead probably is a new driver who might still have only a learner's permit.

While learning to drive, the last thing a young person needs is having to deal with an impatient motorist sounding his horn, tailgating or possibly carrying out a dangerous pass.

For New Jersey, the decal represents an experiment, but it's an experiment worth the effort. Any reasonable means for trying to curb the rate of traffic deaths should be pursued.

Pennsylvania should pay attention.