Should the Texas Hardship Drivers License Program Be Abolished?

Tfurby, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Nov 12, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

In Texas under the Texas Administrative Code a minor between the ages of 15 and 18 may obtain a Texas hardship drivers license as long as the minor has completed a driver training course that has been approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Potential drivers as young as 14 may take an early enrollment in a drivers education class, so that when they reach the age of 15 the minor can be issued his/her hardship license.

The parents of the minor must also prove that the family is experiencing a hardship to the extent that it is causing the family to be denied the basic necessities of life. There are other criteria that the minor must meet before the hardship license will be issued, but that is neither here nor there to my concerns.

My concern is the fact that these young under age drivers, that have been issued a Texas Hardship Drivers license are not mature enough to handle the responsibility of getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and all that this entails. They are still children and therefore think as a child would think. If placed in the midst of a crisis while driving, will the 15 year old know how to react, in order to avert said crisis? I believe not.

I have been a witness to one accident in which involved a 15 year old driver who had her hardship license, she had her 12 year old sister riding in the car with her. The 15 year old driver remembered to fasten her seat belt, but did not think to make sure that her sister had fastened hers.

As she was turning on to the road that led to her home she failed to see the other car coming directly at her in the other lane, and as she turned, that car which was traveling at 70 miles per hour hit her car almost head on.

The driver that was wearing her seat belt received major injuries, but not nearly as severe as her sister who was ejected from the car, through the windshield as she was not wearing her seat belt.

Miraculously, both the driver and the passenger lived, as did the driver of the other car, but the 12 year old passenger suffered severe head trauma along with a broken back, arm, ribs and both legs. She had to learn to talk again, as there was some brain damage. She was also told that she would never walk again, but on this diagnosis, she proved them wrong. I can't help to think that if this driver had been older and more mature, this accident might have been avoided.

I just recently heard a few days ago that 15 year old boy, who had just received his Texas hardship license a few short days ago, had gone to the store to purchase a gallon of milk for his mom. On the way home from the store, a young man ran out into the street in front of his car. He tried to swerve but was not quick enough in his response to avoid hitting the young man. He was killed. If this boy had been older and more mature might this accident be avoided?

I feel that the Texas hardship license program should be reviewed and revised. A 15 year old has no business behind the wheel of any vehicle, no matter the circumstances. They are putting their life in danger as well as each and every person who comes into contact with them while they are behind that wheel.

I know that many families find themselves going through troubling times but, can't another solution be found to help these families? Rather than endangering the lives of their children and others?

Published by Tfurby

Tommie Sandlin enjoys family life, the outdoors, and writing. She has been writing articles via the internet for almost four years. View profile