Another Dead at the Hands of a 15-Year-Old
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Back on August 2nd, I wrote an editorial on my blog called Get Control of Your Teens. It was sparked by looking at the headlines here in the Tampa Bay area and realizing that overnight TWO underage drivers had caused horrific accidents, one of which killed an innocent 34-year-old wife and mother.
Saturday night brought death to yet another victim at the hands of an underage driver. This time the victim was 14-year-old Raquel Ann Carreras of St. Petersburg. She was killed while riding in a 2006 Saturn with five other students. The driver of the car was 15-year-old Shawn Lynn Ledesma. He was just barely 15, having had his birthday in July. In early August he got his learner’s permit.
According to Florida law, a licensed driver over the age of 21 should be in the front passenger seat of the car while a Learner is driving. Additionally, in the firs three months of holding a Learner license, the driver may only drive during daylight hours. After the three months, the driver may operate a vehicle until 10 pm. On all counts, Ledesma was absolutely driving illegally.
Again I ask, where is the parent in this situation? A 15-year-old is highly unlikely to own his own 2006 Saturn. In all likelihood, this is his parents’ car. Diligent parents will not only know where their young teen is after dark, they will know who has their car.
Another unruly teen and another senseless death – when will parents wake up and exert the control they are allowed by law? A 14 or 15-year old is still a child. You have all the right in the world to insist they follow rules and laws.
I am beginning now, more than ever, to feel that giving a driver’s license to a 16-year-old is not responsible. I feel that an individual should earn the right to drive the same time they earn the right to drink: at the age of 21. There are a lot of decision-making processes that are slightly more mature at 21. I am on these roads, often with my daughter. I have a vested interested in keeping the roads safe.
So many times you hear people say that what makes it dangerous to drive in Florida is our elderly population. I have to disagree. While I see many halting ands slow elderly drivers, I see the young drivers speeding ands weaving in and out of traffic. I see them realize at the last possible minute their lane has ended. I see them ignore lights ands stop signs. I see them as the biggest danger on our roads.
I pray for the friends and family of young Raquel Carreras.
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