And You Wonder Why Parents Go Prematurely Gray?

Thursday's Washington Post had an interesting story on the Web site's front page. Over 100 Southern Maryland families with teen drivers are taking part in a study using a webcam-like device called DRIVE CAM. It allows parents to monitor their tender teen drivers in a way most kids don't like--at least right away. It emails the parents when their young one has done something stupid behind the wheel. It can send video to Mom and Dad's cell phone or home PC...notify them not just what happened, but where and at what speed...kinda like a flight data recorder. Nifty!

Okay. Watch the video. Then, read on.

I've been driving nearly 40 years. Over 2 million miles without a chargeable accident. Never a DUI. Lucky? Absolutely!!! But I also believe part of my "luck" comes from having quality driving instruction when I was a teenager.

Did you watch the video? Okay. Tell me this isn't a grand reason to make 18 the minimum driving age! I'll piss off a lot of teenagers by saying that--but a lot of states have raised their minimum driving ages past 16, anyway--so what's a few more months?

I'll tell you: More supervised time behind the wheel. Driving a car is a cumulative craft, like flying an airplane. It's a license to learn, not a license to drive. The FAA requires only 40 hours of stick time before getting a VFR ticket--but few people can master what's required for the checkride in 40 hours. Most students that get signed off to take the test have at least 60; many have 100 hours or more. Instructors must sign off on students before they can take the check ride. The same should hold true for new drivers. Maryland's learner's permits are now good for two years. Other states are at least 18 months.

Young drivers need to learn quality skills quickly; sometimes far too fast for many to get the grip. I'm all for comprehensive driving courses that (at least attempt to) teach basics of situational awareness and reaction, evasive manuevers and emergency procedures. More emphasis needs to be placed on the hazards of drunk driving, aggressive driving and the dangers of having five of your friends with you in your dad's E320 listening to NWA while doing 45 in a 25.

Problem is--these courses cost money. Sure, the school systems offer Driver's Ed, but these days, it's substantially pared-down compared to decades past. Budget cuts. Parents could foot the bill--but driving school is expensive. And the kind of driving school I recommend is only within the reach of a small number of well-off parents. My doctor made his 16 year old son take an evasive driving course before allowing him to drive unsupervised. And his son thanked him for it. Whether it sticks long-term remains to be seen, but if Jonah remembers even a hint of what he learned in those classes--it someday might save his life--and those in the car with him.

We all do stupid things behind the wheel. ANYONE can get in an accident at any given time or place. And, as teenagers, we did some really stupid things. But it's a different world now. Cars aren't battleships anymore. Although much more advanced, technically--they're also much more fragile. There are also about 200 million more cars and trucks on the road these days. With that--probably just as many crazy drivers thinking about anything but driving. And while an airbag might save your life--there's a good chance it would have never had to be deployed if the driver was simply paying attention.