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I am very happy to see the state legislature tackle our teen driving laws.  Kansas laws are among the weakest in the nation.  The bill does address some important issues.

However,  I don't feel it addresses one of the most important issues, which is whether 15 year olds - and even some 14 year olds - be allowed to drive without a parent in the car?  Should we question whether 15 years olds are experienced enough to drive alone during the day, let alone at night.    I mention "at night" because we have lost two wonderful young girls (one 15, the other 14 years old) in the last week to accidents at night. 

I wonder if whether these young people had more experience, would they have had different reactions to the situations surrounding night driving?   We put so much pressure on our kids to grow up so quickly.  They are bombarded with all kinds of "adult" situations.   Should we as a state try to protect them from a sometimes dangerous  "adult" situation.  IE: Driving.  Should the new proposed law, which looks like it may be signed by the governor, also include changes in allowing our 14 and 15 year olds to drive on their own?

I offer my prayers to the families of these young girls.   Please know,  judging from what we have learned of them, they will NEVER be forgotten.   They will always be special to the people who knew them and to those of us who didn't  know them.  I know their beautiful pictures will stick in my mind for a very,  very long time.   They are with The Lord, but know they will never be forgotten down here.