OT: Florida teens waiting longer to get driver's licenses

vey said:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/sfl-flbteendriversnbnov04,0,7034740.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout

http://tinyurl.com/yvdad5

Fewer getting their licenses as soon as they are old enough

The car sits in the driveway, waiting.

Kevin Krutek, 16, has had private driving lessons and taken driver's ed
— twice. Yet he hasn't bothered to get his driver's license, and the car
he could call his own, a Ford Focus that belonged to his older brother,
sits unused in front of his Lighthouse Point home.

"I could get the license if I took the test, I just don't feel the
urgency," said Kevin, a junior at Pompano Beach High. "I don't see what
the big deal is."
....

Somehow I'm having a hard time believing this, for the general teenage
population.
~

vey said:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/sfl-flbteendriversnbnov04,0,7034740.story?coll=orl_tab01_layout

http://tinyurl.com/yvdad5

Fewer getting their licenses as soon as they are old enough

The car sits in the driveway, waiting.

Kevin Krutek, 16, has had private driving lessons and taken driver's ed
— twice. Yet he hasn't bothered to get his driver's license, and the car
he could call his own, a Ford Focus that belonged to his older brother,
sits unused in front of his Lighthouse Point home.

"I could get the license if I took the test, I just don't feel the
urgency," said Kevin, a junior at Pompano Beach High. "I don't see what
the big deal is."
....

Somehow I'm having a hard time believing this, for the general teenage
population.
~

Eric Vey said:

...
Bim Krutek, who remembers being impatient to drive as a teenager,
wonders if overprotective Baby Boomer parents haven't stifled
independence in their teenage offspring by agreeing to be 24/7 chauffeurs.

She admits sometimes to doing this herself. A working mother, Krutek
takes her son to school in the morning for the time it gives them
together. On weekends, she drops Kevin off at friends' houses, the
movies and the bowling alley, then picks him up at night....

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
When did ignorance of biology become a "family value"?

Eric Vey said:

...
Bim Krutek, who remembers being impatient to drive as a teenager,
wonders if overprotective Baby Boomer parents haven't stifled
independence in their teenage offspring by agreeing to be 24/7 chauffeurs.

She admits sometimes to doing this herself. A working mother, Krutek
takes her son to school in the morning for the time it gives them
together. On weekends, she drops Kevin off at friends' houses, the
movies and the bowling alley, then picks him up at night....

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
When did ignorance of biology become a "family value"?

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

Shocking! And your parents let you out of their sight? Even worse!
Bicycles are so very dangerous that the State requires anyone under the
age of 16 to wear a helmet.

You wouldn't expect a responsible parent to allow their child to leave
the house without supervision and engage in a dangerous activity like
bicycle riding, for hours at a time, would you?

I'm so glad I'm not growing up in these times.

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

Shocking! And your parents let you out of their sight? Even worse!
Bicycles are so very dangerous that the State requires anyone under the
age of 16 to wear a helmet.

You wouldn't expect a responsible parent to allow their child to leave
the house without supervision and engage in a dangerous activity like
bicycle riding, for hours at a time, would you?

I'm so glad I'm not growing up in these times.

Eric Vey said:

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

Shocking! And your parents let you out of their sight? Even worse!
Bicycles are so very dangerous that the State requires anyone under the
age of 16 to wear a helmet.

When I was riding a bicycle as a child, the only people who wore helmets
were Volvo driving types and their Bell Bikers.

Quoted message said:

You wouldn't expect a responsible parent to allow their child to leave
the house without supervision and engage in a dangerous activity like
bicycle riding, for hours at a time, would you?

I'm so glad I'm not growing up in these times.

The first time I heard the term "play date" my response was WTF!

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
When did ignorance of biology become a "family value"?

Eric Vey said:

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

Shocking! And your parents let you out of their sight? Even worse!
Bicycles are so very dangerous that the State requires anyone under the
age of 16 to wear a helmet.

When I was riding a bicycle as a child, the only people who wore helmets
were Volvo driving types and their Bell Bikers.

Quoted message said:

You wouldn't expect a responsible parent to allow their child to leave
the house without supervision and engage in a dangerous activity like
bicycle riding, for hours at a time, would you?

I'm so glad I'm not growing up in these times.

The first time I heard the term "play date" my response was WTF!

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
When did ignorance of biology become a "family value"?

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

vey said:

Shocking! And your parents let you out of their sight? Even worse!
Bicycles are so very dangerous that the State requires anyone under the
age of 16 to wear a helmet.

You wouldn't expect a responsible parent to allow their child to leave
the house without supervision and engage in a dangerous activity like
bicycle riding, for hours at a time, would you?

I'm so glad I'm not growing up in these times.

Well written.
All these trends hopefully won't produce a nation of wussies... or is
that the whole point? I wonder sometimes.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

vey said:

Shocking! And your parents let you out of their sight? Even worse!
Bicycles are so very dangerous that the State requires anyone under the
age of 16 to wear a helmet.

You wouldn't expect a responsible parent to allow their child to leave
the house without supervision and engage in a dangerous activity like
bicycle riding, for hours at a time, would you?

I'm so glad I'm not growing up in these times.

Well written.
All these trends hopefully won't produce a nation of wussies... or is
that the whole point? I wonder sometimes.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Nov 4, 4:36 pm, Tom Sherman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Eric Vey said:

...
Bim Krutek, who remembers being impatient to drive as a teenager,
wonders if overprotective Baby Boomer parents haven't stifled
independence in their teenage offspring by agreeing to be 24/7 chauffeurs.

Quoted message said:

She admits sometimes to doing this herself. A working mother, Krutek
takes her son to school in the morning for the time it gives them
together. On weekends, she drops Kevin off at friends' houses, the
movies and the bowling alley, then picks him up at night....

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
When did ignorance of biology become a "family value"?

In Florida, insurance for teens is extremely expensive. Many of them
simply can't afford it. Combine that with a graduated system of
licensing, that restricts the value of that license, many just don't
consider the expense worth it. Frankly I believe its a mistake. You
are far better off getting behind the wheel earlier rather than
later. At 15 or 16 the reflexes are about as fast as they ever will
be. More importantly they are still living under their parents roofs
and parents are far more effective at controlling behavior than
anything a government body can do. I bought my first car with my own
money that I had earned by working many different jobs at 16. My dad
I knew could and would take the key at any time for any reason he saw
fit. I didn't need to test him then. That had been done years ago
and he had always been consistent (even on my bike) and there was no
use to try it again. At 18 the child now is legally an adult and in
many situations the parents influence is greatly reduced, and they
still have to learn

I too went all over town on a beat up old ten speed. Id leave the
house at maybe one and show up at supper time. Id ride to the mall,
across the town for a hot roast beef sandwich, back across town toward
home to a park and then home knowing that being late would again
restrict the ability to go. Even then they knew about where I was and
that I could ride, understood how to keep from getting hit and how to
wreck a bike without getting hurt. If I skinned a knee, it was no cry
for new rules. It was more, you won't do that again now will you
until they thought it might seriously hurt me. Skinned knee, the
occasional scratched bike were all part of growing up to be
independent.

On Nov 4, 4:36 pm, Tom Sherman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Eric Vey said:

...
Bim Krutek, who remembers being impatient to drive as a teenager,
wonders if overprotective Baby Boomer parents haven't stifled
independence in their teenage offspring by agreeing to be 24/7 chauffeurs.

Quoted message said:

She admits sometimes to doing this herself. A working mother, Krutek
takes her son to school in the morning for the time it gives them
together. On weekends, she drops Kevin off at friends' houses, the
movies and the bowling alley, then picks him up at night....

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
When did ignorance of biology become a "family value"?

In Florida, insurance for teens is extremely expensive. Many of them
simply can't afford it. Combine that with a graduated system of
licensing, that restricts the value of that license, many just don't
consider the expense worth it. Frankly I believe its a mistake. You
are far better off getting behind the wheel earlier rather than
later. At 15 or 16 the reflexes are about as fast as they ever will
be. More importantly they are still living under their parents roofs
and parents are far more effective at controlling behavior than
anything a government body can do. I bought my first car with my own
money that I had earned by working many different jobs at 16. My dad
I knew could and would take the key at any time for any reason he saw
fit. I didn't need to test him then. That had been done years ago
and he had always been consistent (even on my bike) and there was no
use to try it again. At 18 the child now is legally an adult and in
many situations the parents influence is greatly reduced, and they
still have to learn

I too went all over town on a beat up old ten speed. Id leave the
house at maybe one and show up at supper time. Id ride to the mall,
across the town for a hot roast beef sandwich, back across town toward
home to a park and then home knowing that being late would again
restrict the ability to go. Even then they knew about where I was and
that I could ride, understood how to keep from getting hit and how to
wreck a bike without getting hurt. If I skinned a knee, it was no cry
for new rules. It was more, you won't do that again now will you
until they thought it might seriously hurt me. Skinned knee, the
occasional scratched bike were all part of growing up to be
independent.

"Tom Sherman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Eric Vey said:

...
Bim Krutek, who remembers being impatient to drive as a teenager, wonders
if overprotective Baby Boomer parents haven't stifled independence in
their teenage offspring by agreeing to be 24/7 chauffeurs.

She admits sometimes to doing this herself. A working mother, Krutek
takes her son to school in the morning for the time it gives them
together. On weekends, she drops Kevin off at friends' houses, the movies
and the bowling alley, then picks him up at night....

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like these
under our own power on bicycles.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
When did ignorance of biology become a "family value"?

When I was a kid, people would have drinks outside on warm summer evenings
and then lob enormous, blunt, weighted steel darts at each other from thirty
feet away. It was an age of many casualties. It was "The Lawn Dart Era"!

"Tom Sherman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Eric Vey said:

...
Bim Krutek, who remembers being impatient to drive as a teenager, wonders
if overprotective Baby Boomer parents haven't stifled independence in
their teenage offspring by agreeing to be 24/7 chauffeurs.

She admits sometimes to doing this herself. A working mother, Krutek
takes her son to school in the morning for the time it gives them
together. On weekends, she drops Kevin off at friends' houses, the movies
and the bowling alley, then picks him up at night....

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like these
under our own power on bicycles.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
When did ignorance of biology become a "family value"?

When I was a kid, people would have drinks outside on warm summer evenings
and then lob enormous, blunt, weighted steel darts at each other from thirty
feet away. It was an age of many casualties. It was "The Lawn Dart Era"!

Mark said:

In Florida, insurance for teens is extremely expensive. Many of them
simply can't afford it. Combine that with a graduated system of
licensing, that restricts the value of that license, many just don't
consider the expense worth it. Frankly I believe its a mistake. You
are far better off getting behind the wheel earlier rather than
later. At 15 or 16 the reflexes are about as fast as they ever will
be.

But judgement often leaves a lot to be desired.

Quoted message said:

More importantly they are still living under their parents roofs
and parents are far more effective at controlling behavior than
anything a government body can do. I bought my first car with my own
money that I had earned by working many different jobs at 16.

I got my license at 16 and borrowed the family car when I needed to. I
didn't get my own car until after I graduated from college. Paid for it
myself -- all $250. Most of my transportation was on bike or bus.

My son is 22 and never got his license. Not interested. He got a job in
Seattle after he graduated from college and can ride his bike to work.
Plus, UW (his employer) gives him a "Husky Pass" that allows him to ride
the bus for free. Why bother with a car?

--

John ([email hidden])

Mark said:

In Florida, insurance for teens is extremely expensive. Many of them
simply can't afford it. Combine that with a graduated system of
licensing, that restricts the value of that license, many just don't
consider the expense worth it. Frankly I believe its a mistake. You
are far better off getting behind the wheel earlier rather than
later. At 15 or 16 the reflexes are about as fast as they ever will
be.

But judgement often leaves a lot to be desired.

Quoted message said:

More importantly they are still living under their parents roofs
and parents are far more effective at controlling behavior than
anything a government body can do. I bought my first car with my own
money that I had earned by working many different jobs at 16.

I got my license at 16 and borrowed the family car when I needed to. I
didn't get my own car until after I graduated from college. Paid for it
myself -- all $250. Most of my transportation was on bike or bus.

My son is 22 and never got his license. Not interested. He got a job in
Seattle after he graduated from college and can ride his bike to work.
Plus, UW (his employer) gives him a "Husky Pass" that allows him to ride
the bus for free. Why bother with a car?

--

John ([email hidden])

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

In the 50's, we rambled and rode our bikes everywhere except the
forbidden zones.

When I was an older child in the early-mid 60's <g>, I hitchhiked.

In more recent times, after being brushed back, more than once, while
walking the dog and carrying my baby daughter in her Snugli (dog was
hit twice while on leash, no baby along as it happened), I figured out
we're not living in those Happy Days times any more.

The crosswalks have signs that warn pedestrians not to cross even if
they have the once-sacred ROW with "Cross" showing, if a MV operator
wants to pull 'er on through.

It's called "Deregulation". Protect you and yours at all times, if you
can. --D-y

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

In the 50's, we rambled and rode our bikes everywhere except the
forbidden zones.

When I was an older child in the early-mid 60's <g>, I hitchhiked.

In more recent times, after being brushed back, more than once, while
walking the dog and carrying my baby daughter in her Snugli (dog was
hit twice while on leash, no baby along as it happened), I figured out
we're not living in those Happy Days times any more.

The crosswalks have signs that warn pedestrians not to cross even if
they have the once-sacred ROW with "Cross" showing, if a MV operator
wants to pull 'er on through.

It's called "Deregulation". Protect you and yours at all times, if you
can. --D-y

A Muzi said:

Quoted message said:

Tom Sherman said:

Back when I was a child in the 1970s and 1980s, we went places like
these under our own power on bicycles.

vey said:

Shocking! And your parents let you out of their sight? Even worse!
Bicycles are so very dangerous that the State requires anyone under
the age of 16 to wear a helmet.

You wouldn't expect a responsible parent to allow their child to leave
the house without supervision and engage in a dangerous activity like
bicycle riding, for hours at a time, would you?

I'm so glad I'm not growing up in these times.

Well written.
All these trends hopefully won't produce a nation of wussies... or is
that the whole point? I wonder sometimes.

At least a nation of people who can't act on their own. But then I am
an old fart and us old farts always look back with rose colored glasses.
"Back in my day..." but a perusal of my high school yearbook shows
lots of my classmates wearing leisure suits. Gaaaaah!