Archived Opinion

Parents should teach children to drive

To the Editor:

The problem of how to fund driver's ed could be easily solved. Since when did it become the responsibility of schools to teach our children to drive? Give that duty back to parents where it belongs and end the discussion.

My father taught me to drive beginning at age 9, so by the time I was 16 and old enough to have a license my father drove the family's 1948 Chevrolet to meet the inspector. I sat behind the wheel, the inspector sat beside me. My dad sat (shaking) in the backseat.  

The inspector then proceeded to determine whether I knew how to drive and was qualified to have a license. When he thought my father had had enough he told me to drive back to the police station, handed me my temporary license, and said ... "You did good, kid, drive safely, enjoy yourself."

Here I am, still driving 60 years later, one speeding ticket collected over 40 years ago on the left coast.

Let’s end this nonsense about fees and professionals and classrooms. Place the responsibility (and accountability) where it belongs, on the parents; we'll all be the richer for it.

David L. Snell   

Franklin

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