Golden Quill: Who are your teens riding with?

This letter written by Kathy Saunders, Red Wing, and published in print May 8, 2010, won the R-E Golden Quill.

To the Editor:

“I’ve written several letters over the years,” she said. “It never crossed my mind that this one would even be considered for a Quill.” Saunders noted that she worried about her children when they started driving and now has teenaged grandchildren. You do what you can to teach them to put safety first.

To the Editor:

I feel very sad and frustrated as I compose the following letter. The sadness and frustration is a result of the recent senseless accidents, one of which claimed the lives of six teens, as two motor vehicles collided.

As parents and grandparents, we realize that we can’t protect our children and “teens especially” 24/7.

However, let’s be real. The driver of one of the crashed vehicles had received her driver’s license only two weeks prior to the fatal accident.

Now, here’s my question: Did the parents of those passengers know that this inexperienced teen was to be their teen’s driver?

Parents and guardians, ask your teen several questions before they leave your home for the evening.

1. Who will be your driver?

2. If they are driving, allow them one or two passengers, depending on how long they have had their license.

3. Where do they plan to go? Discourage them to just “drive around.” That’s a red flag.

4. If your plans change later, call us with your cell phone, which you should keep close to you at all times.

5. Call us as well if the situation goes from OK to critical and drinking is clearly observed.

You may or may not be popular, as a teen’s parent, but who’s running for a popularity contest anyway?

The point is keep them safe. And the most essential is the fact that you’ll have a son or daughter breathing, walking, dancing and able to follow their life dreams.

Please remind your precious children and teens, to wear their seat belts.

We all need to be good examples for our kids and grandkids. When you are in your vehicle or someone else’s, do not start the engine until each person has buckled up.

“Wear your seat belt. Remember the life you save, may be your own!”

Kathy Saunders

Red Wing

Tags: opinion, letters