One thing I've noticed when we have a tragedy involving young people, you'd better not say anything critical on the KTVZ site.
"It's an accident!" you'll get screamed down. "Let the family grieve in peace!"
The implication is, an "accident" means it's no ones fault. Also that you are casting aspersions on the victim's character. (When it's often obvious from the mourning that they were outstanding young people.)
I understand not wanting to find fault so soon after the tragedy. I understand that the family is hurting.
Then again, after the incident is when people are paying attention. Rather than say, "accidents" happen, we should be saying "mistakes" happen, and they don't mean the person making the mistake is a horrible person. But that the mistake shouldn't be repeated, if possible.
And I am very, very sorry for your loss.
Anyway, I saw a documentary years back where they had put cameras in 16 year old girls' cars, and just let it roll. It showed them nearly clipping pedestrians and running red lights and going the wrong way, all the while chattering cheerfully to their friends.
It was terrifying. Their tiny attention span, their lack of concern, the sheer exuberance and craziness of their behavior. The documentary made the case that it was hormonal, that it was where their immature brains were at. A couple of years later, and the same girls were fine.
The footage was terrifying enough that when they showed the same girls the footage a few years later when they were college age, they were mortified.
(This isn't even counting the added danger of alcohol.)
This latest accident sounds like it might have involved excessive speed, and most certainly involved dangerous conditions, and it might be a time to turn to young people and say, "When the conditions are dangerous, you need to slow down."
Anyway, that horse (letting 16 year olds drive) is out of the barn and halfway down the road, and not all 16 years are that way. I'm actually impressed they've managed to put some restrictions on them, at all.
I guess as a parent you hope they'll show good judgement, and cross your fingers.
"It's an accident!" you'll get screamed down. "Let the family grieve in peace!"
The implication is, an "accident" means it's no ones fault. Also that you are casting aspersions on the victim's character. (When it's often obvious from the mourning that they were outstanding young people.)
I understand not wanting to find fault so soon after the tragedy. I understand that the family is hurting.
Then again, after the incident is when people are paying attention. Rather than say, "accidents" happen, we should be saying "mistakes" happen, and they don't mean the person making the mistake is a horrible person. But that the mistake shouldn't be repeated, if possible.
And I am very, very sorry for your loss.
Anyway, I saw a documentary years back where they had put cameras in 16 year old girls' cars, and just let it roll. It showed them nearly clipping pedestrians and running red lights and going the wrong way, all the while chattering cheerfully to their friends.
It was terrifying. Their tiny attention span, their lack of concern, the sheer exuberance and craziness of their behavior. The documentary made the case that it was hormonal, that it was where their immature brains were at. A couple of years later, and the same girls were fine.
The footage was terrifying enough that when they showed the same girls the footage a few years later when they were college age, they were mortified.
(This isn't even counting the added danger of alcohol.)
This latest accident sounds like it might have involved excessive speed, and most certainly involved dangerous conditions, and it might be a time to turn to young people and say, "When the conditions are dangerous, you need to slow down."
Anyway, that horse (letting 16 year olds drive) is out of the barn and halfway down the road, and not all 16 years are that way. I'm actually impressed they've managed to put some restrictions on them, at all.
I guess as a parent you hope they'll show good judgement, and cross your fingers.