Requiring a learner's permit

is an appropriate first step. It means each teen has already passed the

test on the automobile driver's handbook, but it only permits supervised

driving. If we are permitting teens to drive our golf carts unsupervised

at 15 that requires an additional level of responsibility.

Responsible teen drivers have

never been the problem. The problem has always been the irresponsible

drivers (of any age) and their driving to impress (themselves or their

friends) that puts others at needless risk and that is what has not yet

been addressed.

It must be the responsibility

of the parent to determine when their teen has reached the needed level

of good judgement and respect for others necessary to keep our path system

safe for all. It is not the ability to turn the steering wheel or press

the accelerator that should determine when a teen will drive unsupervised.

It should be the level of responsibility already shown by that teen in

their actions and choices that determines the timing and that is what

too often does not happen. This is the core problem.

It is the parent who caves

in under the pressure of too little time and a persistent teen who insists

that they are ready to drive unsupervised. They hand the keys over when

they really know they should not and once done it is even harder to deny

that privilege next time.

A prime example of that is

the otherwise law-abiding parents who gave their teens (responsible or

not) the keys when it was against the law to do so. Imagine the struggle

faced by the parent of the immature or not yet responsible but strong-willed

teen caught in the same time crunch. It is too easy to just hand over

the keys and possibly let someone else pay the consequences of an irresponsible

teen terrorizing our paths. That is the real problem and it has not yet

been dealt with.

Now, we can take the lazy route

and say it is just the parents' problem, but the reality is that it is

a problem for anyone in their way on our paths. It is up to us to do what

we can to protect ourselves. The way to do this is to help the parents

of all teens to recognize the signs they need to see as established patterns

that indicate the teen who is ready for this freedom.

Just require parents to stop

and think one more time before they hand over the keys to a golf cart.

Require the parent and the teen to sign a checklist or permission form

that verifies in writing that their teen meets this minimum standard.

The really important part of this requirement is to move the pressure

from the parent to where it really belongs, on the teen.

It should be the teen's responsibility

to show their parent through their actions and choices that they are mature

and responsible enough to handle this freedom. All the parent is responsible

for is to verify it.

In our very busy world too

many parents are caving in and this is a way we can at least have them

see the standard of what a responsible 15-year-old teen in our community

should be held to. It will allow the parent to say to their teen, "This

is the standard required. When you show me you have met it, I will sign

it, but not until then."

This will take the responsibility,

recently needlessly placed too much on our police department, and place

it more clearly where it belongs, on the teen and their parents. Let's

return the police to a supporting role, initially informing and then to

the backup position, to be there when the first two fail.

The final decision on 15-year-olds

driving unsupervised is not yet secured. At the next City Council meeting

on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. in City Hall, it will come up for another

vote. Supporters and those opposing it can still influence the outcome.

The presence of teens who show through their actions to be responsible

will help our cause. Irresponsible teens, that night or in the future,

can still cost everyone this privilege.

Kathleen Cheney

Peachtree City