Teenagers often make bad choices as they find their way through adulthood. There are some studies that show the minds of young people aren’t fully matured until the person hits their mid-20s. Responsible driving isn’t a given, no matter if the child is obedient, friendly or intelligent. Mix in other factors like hormonal raging, peer pressure, and ADD and the stakes are raised to a higher level. It is only with practice, practice, and more practice that driving skills are honed to a level where a child can be considered safe.
Unfortunately, many parents view driver education and the obtaining of a license as just another rite of passage as well as a right as a citizen. They can’t wait for their child to become mobile and independent. This attitude is often passed on to the child. Lost in all this is the fact that driving an automobile is a serious proposition, one that could have life and death consequences.
When first licensed, my children were not allowed to have passengers in the car. In fact, we would not allow my son to drive with his younger sister in the car until he had a few months of experience under his belt. I remember the time I told the mother of my daughter’s friend that the child would be riding with my son, still a new driver. Her response made me feel like I had just landed from another planet, but I felt it was my responsibility to inform the parent.
Just because the state can license a child doesn’t mean it’s automatic. It is still the parent of the minor child who has all of the control. Just because the child has taken the classes doesn’t mean that they have the right to a permit or license; if your child isn’t ready, don’t go to the Secretary of State and sign your consent. What most parents and some adolescents don’t realize is that until the driver reaches adulthood (age 18), the parent has the right to petition to revoke the permit or license. This gives the parent absolute say in driving privileges.
Graduated licensing is working. Accident rates among young people have been lowered since its passage.
The Unlicensed Threat on Our Roads
All of this is fine stuff, but the unfortunate driver in this car/train wreck was 19 years old and driving on a suspended license.
First of all, he should have known enough not to race an Amtrak train going 65 mph. He should have known if the gates were down, they were down for a reason and no emergency in the world would justify trying to go around them.
Article comments
1 - Dr Dreadful
The young ages at which some US jurisdictions allow people to have driver's licenses astonishes me. Wouldn't surprise me if in some states your birth certificate is your driver's license. No, better yet: there may be states where a positive pregnancy test entitles your embryo to get behind the wheel as soon as it grows fingers to grasp it with.
Seriously, young drivers are fucking dangerous, as are older people. The difference is that older people know they're fucking dangerous and slow down accordingly, which can be frustrating if you're stuck behind one but at least you'll live to think so.
I didn't get my license until I was 35. Seems like an appropriate age to me.
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