LANSING – A program that allows police to rat out errant teen drivers to their parents in 70 of Michigan’s 83 counties has come to a dead stop in Macomb County lines.

“I don’t think cops should be targeting a certain group because of age, unless there is a law,” said Mark Hackel, the Macomb County sheriff. “We are treating people differently because of age, and I find it inappropriate.”

However, Terrence Jungel, the executive director of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, said he wants the STOPPED (Sheriffs Telling Our Parents and Promoting Educated Drivers) program to be fully implemented statewide.

Oakland, Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties participate in the program, which is funded by AAA Michigan grants.

Parents can register their vehicle online at www.michigansheriff.com, and will receive a STOPPED sticker by mail to place on the windshield. If a teen is driving a registered vehicle and is pulled over for any reason, his or her parents will receive a letter regarding the incident.

There are a number of reasons why some sheriffs haven’t implemented the program yet, said Jack Peet, manager of AAA community safety services.

For example, they could be waiting to see how the program pans out, he said.

But Hackel said “I wasn’t interested in the program from the start.”

“It sounds good in theory but in a practical sense there is a lot of work the police will need to do.”

He also said it could take time away from police officers’ day-to-day duties.

However, Peet said the program is working as intended.

“The fact is that there aren’t many letters going out and there is positive feedback from parents and teens,” Peet said.

AAA has funded the program for two years to build relationships between parents and law enforcement agencies and to promote safe driving by teens.

“As of the first half of August, more than 2,000 vehicles have been registered,” Peet said.

The notification letters explain why and where the teen was stopped, how many passengers were in the vehicle and if a ticket was issued, Jungel said.

Jungel said teenagers represent less than 15 percent of all licensed drivers in Michigan but account for 24 percent of traffic fatalities, adding, it is better to deliver a letter than tell parents there was a death.

Hackel said it is up to the parents to have a good relationship with their teens. Police officers shouldn’t have to tell the parents because the teens are too afraid.

“They should develop trust,” Hackel said. “I did with my parents, not because of fear but because of respect.”

A letter won’t bring a family together, he said.

It is hard to tell if the program is working or not, Hackel said. Most teens are afraid to get tickets so they abide by the laws.

The stop-sign-shaped stickers serves as a constant reminder for teenagers, Jungel said.

Peet said the stop-sign-shaped stickers make teens more cautious and drive more safely. Teens can use the program as a way to deflect peer pressure, Peet said. For example, it could be used as a valid excuse to not drive recklessly, he said.

The Office of Highway Safety Planning helped launch the STOPPED program in seven counties in 2005.