Kids and Driving Age

Listening to the news this morning, the soapboxes were being pulled out of the cabinet to discuss my state lowering the legal driving age from almost 17 (you can get your permit at 16) to 15.

The viewpoints expressed by others seemed to be that letting children driver earlier made it easier on the parents playing chauffeur and that it all came down to the child and responsibility level of that child........

My viewpoint? Driving is a privilege and handing the keys to a 15 year old regardless of their responsibility level is just asking for trouble. Driving is not "free", gas must be paid for, car maintenance, insurance, etc........must all be accounted for. Thus my children are more than welcome to go get a driver license at 15, but until they have a job to pay for their car insurance and the maintenance etc, they can pretty much forget being able to drive without a responsible adult in the vehicle. In addition, if you would like to believe that each child is different and that some are responsible enough to drive at 15 versus others, that is a very true statement. Last time I looked, parents had responsibilities and unless I take my child to the DMV to apply for their license and to take the road test, then they are not going to get one.

Kids need time to be kids and although i couldn't wait to get my license, there is a reason why waiting for things until you have the maturity and responsibility levels to go with the privilege, you don't need it. Nothing in life is free and children need to be made aware of that.

Okay...my soapbox is going away now