Like bullets, blades and bombs, automobiles can be death weapons. Too much speed, failure to wear a seat belt, the use of cell phones, or consuming alcohol and drugs before or while driving can turn a simple joy ride into a horrible nightmare. Not only the driver and passengers in the speeding car are likely to lose their lives. Many car crash victims are innocent people who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…in the path of an “out of control” driver. That’s the bad news. Some better news is that in general, those drivers and passengers smart enough to wear seat belts have a much greater chance of staying alive.

Driving a car is not the same kind of right as freedom of speech or freedom of religion. But, most people who pass their driver’s tests and are of age do have the legal right to drive. For every right, legal or political, there is a responsibility. It is your responsibility to use that right given to you in a safe and sound way. Your right to freedom of speech, for example, doesn’t allow you to jokingly yell “FIRE!” in a movie theater. If you now have the legal right  to drive or are hoping to get your driver’s license soon, WARM2Kids has great tips on how to drive…RESPONSIBLY!