Hmmm, didn't much like that headline, did you? Given the socioeconomic strata and the average political leanings of most prolific blog readers, we don't have a lot of rabid hawks here. Ever notice how Michael Moore couldn't even get an answer out of most of our esteemed legislators when he asked them why _their_ kids weren't in the war they delight in sending others to?
Well, let's not get too deep into politics. Read this and then come back to see me, 'k?
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/local/states/south_carolina/counties/york/12736335.htm
Parents, we are doing a DAMN poor job of raising our teens ... especially boys ...when it comes to automobiles and driving. We can't do anything about wars, natural disasters or disease but we can do a LOT when it comes to keeping them safe on the road. The cost ranges from zero dollars to small investments, less than you probably spend in expensive designer sneakers and ripped up jeans that the kid just 'as to have'.
But there is a cost ... it's not in money, it's in responsibility. You have got to have the guts to say No when a no is needed. You have got so spend time actual trying to teach skills rather than marking time until the state issues them a license. You've learned a lot over the past 20 years of driving, how much are you passing on (including the embarrassing incidents you learned from the hard way?)
Commercial driving schools can be good, but often a trusted friend with a good head on his or her shoulders can do a lot to help as well. trade off instruction and check rides with a neighbor's son or daughter. It's very surprising how little interaction any teen has with adults aside from his/her parents. You'd be amazed how much a friend's son or daughter will value your opinion as well.
Think about monitoring your teen's destinations and driving habits. This is the number one way you can keep them alive. Is there a cost? Yup ... but what's the cost of a funeral ... or lifetime of rehab in a spinal cord injury hospital? Put a GPS unit on their vehicle. If you're serious about wanting to keep them alive, and you have the gumption to actually _be_ responsible for their behavior, use GPS unit that monitors their seatbelt use. Yes, there are ones out there (disclaimer, I sell one brand that does, there are others) and yes they do save lives. The statistic in the article I recommended that bothers me most? The distressingly small number of teens who wear seat belts. No matter what our age or driving skills we can make a mistake ... it's part of being human. A simple piece of nylon webbing can make the difference between a scare or a fender-bender and a lifetime of tradgedy.
Make it click, no matter what else you do.
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