This is in response to Jeff Kneler’s letter in the Jan. 24 edition of the News Transcript regarding identifying young drivers in vehicles (“Young Drivers Need a Way to be Identified in Vehicles”).
I have four children, ages 17, 15, 12 and 9. I do not think the police or other officials should have to add on to their already busy jobs. As a parent, it is my responsibility to make sure my kids follow the rules. Our rule is that our kids can drive anywhere they want to as long as my husband or I am in the car. They are never allowed to drive alone or have access to our cars without us.
I know my kids do not have access to the cars because I hide my keys in my bedroom every night.
I wouldn’t put my kids lives or other people’s lives at risk. Teenagers are easily distracted, as well as some adults. I do not feel that as parents we leave it up to other people to look out for our children.
Today, parents see it as a rite of passage to buy their kids cars even before they are able to drive. I am one of those parents who will not buy my child a car until they can afford it themselves, after college. I will not be one of those parents that think after it is too late, “I shouldn’t have bought him that car” or “I shouldn’t have let him take my car.” There is no reason for parents to let the kids drive alone or with other kids. So let the police and officials do their job without adding another burden on.
Yes, it is more troublesome at times for us to follow this rule, especially now that my kids are of working age. Sure my kids can drive to and from work – with a parent in the car. I hope they do not drive without me in a car, for now, but I least I know I did everything I could to make it more difficult for them.
Audrey Claro
Manalapan