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Forget the Guns;
It's Cars That Are Killing Our Kids
Not a morning goes by when I can't pick up a paper and read where a firearm has killed someone. For those who are adamant about gun control, these stories give them the ammunition, no pun intended, which they need to further their cause. But there is another killer in our midst that is much more dangerous than any firearm that has ever been brandished in a hostile confrontation or proudly shown in any gun show. No, I am not talking about knives, drugs, or any of the other sexy "weapons" that are so often depicted on your favorite show. I am talking about the one that you voluntarily put yourself, and your children in, every day knowing full well of the dangers that this action can cause. I am talking about the weapon that goes by the name of Lexus, Mercedes, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Chevrolet and many others that make up a list that seems to grow every day.
It is amazing that parents flinch anytime someone gets close to their child with a secure firearm, but they have no qualms with going out and buying the fastest, sleekest, sports car that they can find and then sitting by idly as they watch their 16 year old kids strap themselves in as they drive off into the sunset. Unfortunately, much to the chagrin and "surprise" of these proud parents, the kids do not always drive back. The numbers of people who are killed in automobile accidents typically and easily will double the number of people killed by violent acts. But, despite these numbers, that continue to rise, it is difficult to find anything resembling a groundswell from those who think that these trends are troubling. In fact, other than the families of some of those who have been lost to vehicular homicide cases, it is difficult to find anyone who is working to turn this tide.
For example, for the past few years, we have seen the number of deaths involving inexperienced drivers soar and continue to increase. Each time we hear of a young life lost, we have some who demand that something be done about raising the legal driving age or limiting their access to the roadways. And due to these deaths, we usually get some "healthy" debate during the legislative sessions, but very little changes. Although there have been some regulations placed on our young drivers, the fact remains that a 16 year old child can still acquire a drivers license that allows them the same privileges, for the most part, as any other driver. Every time someone tries to introduce legislation to change the age, we get objections from special interests groups or representatives for rural areas who say that driving is a privilege that 16 years old have had for years and it is not fair to them to change it now.
It is clearly time to change these laws if we are serious about our concern for our children's safety. And for those of you who are still unsure, a sixteen year old is still a child. Putting these children into vehicles and expecting them to be able to maneuver the mean streets of Atlanta is a ridiculous proposition. We have drivers who have been on these roads for 25 years that are challenged every day. Here are the facts. Over the past two years, too many people have been killed on the roadways of Gwinnett County alone. If one of these fatalities was a family member of your family, then I realize that I am preaching to the choir. It is unfortunate that it sometimes takes such a tragic consequence for people to realize that they are putting their children at risk; under the auspices that they are rewarding their child by presenting them with a car.
There is nothing uglier than a young life lost. This is true for kids who have been shot and for kids who have been killed in violent automobile accidents. But in terms of ugliness, and I have seen both, you will never see anything that compares with the feeling that you have when you look into the lifeless eyes of a kid who lies wrapped in a pile of shredded automobile which is now nothing more than a metal tomb.
Let's talk about it a couple of more years. I am sure that it will get better.
For further information, visit www.voice4victims.com
If you are interested in having Mr. Hall speak at your next club or group meeting, please email contact information to:
SHallBadgeNotes@aol.com
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