Teen drivers please beware

Many of my son's friends have recently attained their driving permits or licenses. He's asked whether he may go with his friends "just" to a local movie or Blockbuster. I'm pretty unpopular when I say no.

California law states that teens with less than a year of driving experience cannot drive with anyone under 21 years old in the car unless they are also driving with a licensed parent, guardian 25 years of age or older or driving instructor. This includes their friends, their brother, sister, cousins, etc. If they do so and an accident occurs, besides possible injuries, the insurance may not cover any damage from the accident.

Teenagers are 42 times more likely to be killed on the state's highways than adults. Teens who are driving with a peer in the first year of their license are 70 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal accident or one in which someone is injured.

Since the law was passed, at-fault fatal and injury collisions involving 16-year-old drivers declined an impressive 24 percent over the law's first two years. Teen passenger deaths and injuries from crashes of 16-year-old drivers dropped a stunning 40 percent over the law's first two years. For our kids and their friends, even though we want them to love us every minute, let's try to be sure they follow the law. Mary Hendrix Oak Park