Last week was Teen Driver Safety Week. That might not get much attention in some states, but it should in Kentucky. For the past four years, Kentucky has led the nation in teenage driving deaths per capita.
To flip this list from worst to best, parents need to be deeply involved when they give the keys of a 4,500-pound missile to the owner of an inexperienced, immature brain. Parents must be confident that they have been good examples, that they have road tested their kids and that they have pounded in the importance of defensive driving.
Here's what our viewers had to say:
"In agreement with you, Bill. I also would add that let's reinstate driver education in high school. That is a fantastic way for children to learn how to drive, to get their safety instruction and also learn how to change tires and things when there's a flat. I think that would be a great thing to do, especially for families that are single parents and maybe don't have the time."
"Yes, I believe that the young drivers still need driver's education like a lot of us older folks received when we were younger."
"Yes, I think drivers education should be mandatory. Taxpayers need to pay the money for drivers education for our safety."
"The governor lowered the age. They're 15 years old out there driving. They're not responsible. They ain't grown yet. They're just too young. Should never have been lowered."
"If you want to stop these kids from driving without seatbelts, just lay it back on to the automakers. Let's force them to create a no-start system so your vehicle will not start without your seatbelt being engaged."
