Maybe we should follow the example of police in this US city when it comes to young people speeding on our highways.

The Oviedo Police Department will send a postcard to parents if their children are stopped for traffic offences, reported the Orlando Sentinel.

In an effort to promote safe driving, the department launched a new Teen Traffic Safety Notifications programme that lets parents know where their children are when they have the keys to the family car.

When a teenager is pulled over, even if he only gets a verbal warning, the parents will get a postcard.

The card lists the driver's offence as well as the officer's contact information so parents can speak with them directly, Wesh.com said.

'Now we're trying to get the parents involved, let them know what their children are doing.

'I think I would like to know what my son or daughter is doing in their car, or in the family car,' an Oviedo Police Department spokesman said.

Teenager Candice Davidson said her friends will hate the new plan, but she likes it.

'A lot of my friends don't drive that well. I don't feel safe when I'm with them,' she said.

Ms Gayle Davidson, Candice's mother, said she likes the idea as well.

'I think it's a good idea myself personally, to know what your children are doing,' she said.

This article was first published in the New Paper on August 6th 2008.