Posted by
Billy on Thursday, November 19, 2009 12:17:47 PM
My oldest grandson, not yet 15, is already taking drivers education. In fact,
he’s already been behind the wheel with his instructor, on an interstate highway
no less. I’m resigned to his obtaining his license in a little more than a year.
I’m not happy about it. I’m resigned. Mind you, he’s more trustworthy and
responsible (in my objective opinion) than nine-point-nine out of ten of his
peers. He’s a good if not great kid, and as my readers know, my standards are
high. Still, I’m shaking my head in incredulous resignation.
Disclaimer: When my kids turned 16, each received a car from their hugely naïve
parents. Would that I had some things to do over again.
Two
weeks ago, a San Diego journalist called asking for some quotes for a story he’s
doing on teenage drivers. The story was prompted by the recent automobile deaths
of two San Diego teens in separate accidents. My beloved grandson’s life flashed
in front of me.
(The above is part of a column written by
John Rosemond. Read more of the column below.)
I told said journalist that giving a drivers license to a teenage child (and if
anyone has failed to notice, they are still children) under age 18 was like
giving the kid a revolver with ten thousand chambers, only one of which is
loaded with a bullet, and telling him to point it at his head and pull the
trigger. Would any responsible parent do such a thing? Then, pray tell, why do
otherwise responsible parents allow teenage children to obtain drivers licenses
and provide them with cars?
When would I allow driving
privileges? he asked. When two conditions were satisfied—the 18th birthday and
a high school diploma. Would that reduce the drop-out rate or
what?
The 16-year-old driving privilege was established when
cars were less powerful, roads were less crowded, and 16-year-olds were
considerably more mature than they are today. Furthermore, these laws were
passed to allow teens to participate more fully in the operation of family
farms. They were not passed with the intention that teens would drive for
discretionary, largely recreational purposes.
I suggest that the primary reason the driving age is not going to be raised any
time soon is because the current law is a huge convenience to parents. They are
not only relieved of having to transport the young licensee, but they can also
assign him to driving younger siblings to after-school activities and the like.
So even though these young drivers cannot vote, state legislators are going to
protect their driving privileges. Given that interstate commerce is involved, we
can only hope that Congress will take up the issue.
(Amen. I know along with Mr.
Rosemond that I won't win any fans among today's teens but I support the age to drive going up. Young people and parents in my state should not see driving as a right at 16 but a privilege they need to handle with extreme care. Parents need to watch how their children handle driving and if they don't use extreme care it is time to ground them from driving. I know your children might hate you for it but isn't better to have a living child upset at you than have a dead one , or one laying in the hospital fighting for his life, or behind bars. Do read the whole column
11/10/09.)