On the Way—While Texting, Duh! Not.

Gateway Athletic Conference(GAC)—the conference everyone on the team has been waiting for. We don't take the bus since only a small group goes anyway, so our coach and assistant coach will drive us...well, some of us. A few seniors are able to drive themselves while the rest of us are resentfully herded like cattle into the coach's truck. Even with a license, juniors cannot drive themselves.

Highschool prepares students for adulthood. As young adults, we need that exposure to make our own decisions--among them is the right to drive to sporting events.

Although parents oftentimes warn other people of teen drivers, teens aren't all terrible drivers. Like any other generalization, there are exceptions, and like most stereotypes, most are false. All teens text and drive. They always speed and drive rescklessly. Not true. As a teen, I know that the majority of teens do not text and drive.

In Fort Zumwalt's Interscholastic Activity Handbook on page 51, there is a small number of regulations concerning transportation to sport events.

"Drivers not under contract with school district shall be at least 21 years of age and comply with applicable state regulations."

Students cannot drive other students, unless the driver is over 21 years of age with a license.

" If transportation service in vehicles other than school buses is contracted, there shall be a written contract between the district and the individual or firm providing the service."

Simply, a contract is needed between the district and driver in case an accident occurs.

"When transportation services are provided in a private automobile, the driver of the vehicle must provide a "Statement of Assurance" to the District giving his or her license number and expiration date of license, verifying that the above conditions and insurance requirements are met. This form must be filed with designated school district administrators prior to the trip."

Drivers need to be decent drivers with all of their documents up to date.

These bullet points were the only rules pertaining to driving to sport events.

No where in the rules does the handbook say that juniors cannot drive themselves.

Although seniors are not 21 years of age, they are still able to drive themselves to games and matches. The only difference between them and the juniors are the grade levels. Both seniors and juniors have a license. Both are upperclassmen. Both are young adults who can decide to either drive or pile in with the other seniors.

However, despite what we want to believe, there are those reckless, careless drivers. To prevent accidents pertaining to sport activities, potential drivers should have had his or her license for a year; drivers should be qualified to drive. Like what the handbook says, students must fill out a contract. In the event of an accident, normal precedures for reporting are followed, in which the district has no responsibility nor is liable for the driver's actions.

As long as a junior drives only himself or herself, he or she is not breaking any rules in the handbook. They may not be able to get a ride from older students, but juniors have every the right to drive themselves to games and matches.

Unable to act our age from the oppression, the students cannot fully become adults unless they are given their own responsibilities. As part of the school board, the members should look out for the students' well-being but also guide their future.