The columnist was concerned (justifiably) about her 15 year old driver, who will "receive her learners permit" in just 144 days. And says... "Every time she gets behind the wheel, I'll worry about the dangerous combination of teenage brain and 3000-pound lethal weapon". Well I see no problem there; I had the same worries when my 4 faced the same situation. (Only difference between then and now was that cell phones did not exist... Thank God)
The columnist then goes on referring to a "Driving Summit", which sent a message "You can't drive safely with a cell phone in your ear or a BlackBerry in your hand. Put it in the glove compartment, because there's no call so important it can't wait." Well I see no problem here either.
Then the columnist goes on to say... "We need to do for cell phones and texting what we've accomplished for drunk driving and driving while unbuckled: make it unacceptable - and against the law". Well, here is where I have a bit of a problem. Not a problem with the drunk driving issue, or the seatbelt issue, but I do have a problem with the "against the law issue". BUT before you go off on me, let me explain.
Yes, we need laws, no doubt about it and yes we (probably) need laws about cell phone use while driving, and some states have already passed them, and obviously they would apply to teens as well. But... here is my rub...
Laws or no laws, teens NEED RULES. Our legal system takes care of "LAW ENFORCEMENT", but our "Home system" takes care of "RULE ENFORCEMENT". Parents... you are the ones who must lookout for your daughters/sons "teenage brain". That is why you are called parents (by definition... "One who brings up and cares for another").
YOU... PARENT(s) make the rules, you PARENT(s) enforce the rules. Rule #1... NO CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING... PERIOD. First violation will be NO CELL PHONE AND NO DRIVING PRIVILEGES.
Just Say'n
No comments:
Post a Comment