I’ve personally lost relatives and friends through reckless driving. Growing up with a mother who lost her brother at the age of 16 when he made an illegal u-turn has made me immensely aware of the consequences of reckless driving.

This message is more of a warning than criticism towards an early driver’s permit.

When you hit 16 there is oh so much to look forward to in numerous cultures. One’s sweet sixteen perhaps? However what’s on many youth’s minds right now is getting their driver’s permit.

Getting that permit is often seen as a necessity for many young people. However, few take a step back and really look at what they’re getting themselves into.



Learning to drive is figuring out a machine, a machine that can reach inhuman speeds and power.



“I can barely reach the gas, it’s pretty frustrating.” said Charissa Endow, a 15- year- old student who’s learning to drive.



A car is a lot to get used to. The abuse of the privilege a car creates such as speeding and driving erratically are seemingly harmless till you’re smacked in the face with reality and a person under your hubcaps.

“There’s tons of kids I see crashing all over the freeways these days,” said Wendell Hahm, my father, who drives to Thousand Oaks every day for his job.

In 2003, 3,500 teenagers died in teen-driven vehicles in the USA according to USA Today— a death toll that tops that of any disease or injury for teens. Statistics like these make me wonder if kids should really be driving.

It’s a question that many parents have and that the youths prefer to ignore. A car may seem like a source of independence and control.

But Sometimes young people don’t make very mature choices or ideas when given these advantages.



“I don’t think kids under 18 should drive.” said Deborah Gauthier, the mother of a Venice teenager who is eager for a driver’s permit. There will always be a tug of war being played between parents and children on this topic.



One thing that’s certain is that careful driving is key and that reckless driving is nothing to take lightly.