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Texas, teens and driving
When I moved down to Texas, I really hoped the legal driving age would be 18. Of course, as you know, it isn't.
But as my son approaches 16, I worry more and more about it and whether I should let him get a driver's license. When I lived in Greeley, CO., Weld County consistently led the state in the number of highway fatalities every year. Many of those deaths were teen drivers. Seeing first hand the impacts of those deaths in the stories we reported and wrote was gut wrenching. Stories like the one we published today don't help, either. We ran a AP story and a local side bar about how car crashes are the leading cause of death for tweens and teens. Boy, how I wish the legal driving age was 18. I think those extra two years are huge in regards to how much more kids mature and develop. I remember back to the my early driving days. I realize now I wasn't ready to handle the responsibility of driving. I actually earned a speeding ticket the first day I ever drove alone without an adult. I know there are some kids out there who can handle it. But the truth is, at least in my opinion, most aren't ready. As a parent, I can make my son wait those two extra years. Will I? I don't know, but it's a conversation worth having. What do you think? Click on the link above and post your thoughts, or post them here. Thanks. 3 comments from 3 users
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posted by
Rebecca
on Mar 4, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Agreed. My 15 year old just drove me to VOTE, Pay bills, to deposit one check, and to cash his income tax return.... I want him to get all the practice he can get!
posted by
CollegeGirl
on Mar 4, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Wow I remember when I got my license at 16 and thought I could go and do whatever I wanted. Nope. I was wrong; my parents only let me drive during the day for months and only to and from work. I had to earn the right to drive. Also had to prove I could drive properly many times with my parents. I bet I drove with my parents for a full year before they let me get my license. Also I had to help pay for my car and insurance. (Little did I know the money I paid them for the car and insurance went into my savings—Thanks mom and dad—what a lesson and a reward years later.) Looking back that was the best thing they did, but at the time I thought it was embarrassing because all my friends got too do whatever they wanted. posted by
OLDRUSTYBUCKET1
on Mar 5, 2008 at 07:04 PM
The sad part about young drivers around here is that so many of 'em refuse to wear seat belts and getting ejected from their vehicles puts 'em on the obituary pages. happens all too often.
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