My oldest grandson, not yet 15, is already taking driver's education. In fact, he's already been behind the wheel with his instructor, on an interstate highway, no less. I'm resigned to his obtaining his license in a little more than a year. He's more trustworthy and responsible (in my objective opinion) than 9.9 out of 10 of his peers. Still, I'm shaking my head in incredulous resignation.

Disclaimer: When my kids turned 16, each received a car from their hugely naive parents. Would that I had some things to do over again.

Two weeks ago, a San Diego journalist called asking for some quotes for a story he's doing on teenage drivers. The story was prompted by the recent deaths of two San Diego teens in separate auto accidents. My beloved grandson's life flashed in front of me.

I told said journalist that giving a driver's license to a teenage child under age 18 was like giving the kid a revolver with 10,000 chambers, only one of which is loaded with a bullet, and telling him to point it at his head and pull the trigger. Would any responsible parent do such a thing? Then why do otherwise responsible parents allow teenage children to obtain driver's licenses and provide them with cars?

When would I allow driving privileges? he asked. When two conditions were satisfied — the 18th birthday and a high school diploma. Would that reduce the dropout rate or what?

The 16-year-old driving privilege was established when cars were less powerful, roads were less crowded and 16-year-olds were more mature than they are today. Furthermore, these laws were passed to allow teens to participate more fully in the operation of family farms. They were not passed with the intention teens would drive for discretionary, largely recreational purposes.

I suggest that the primary reason the driving age won't be raised any time soon is because the current law is a huge convenience to parents. So even though these young drivers cannot vote, state legislators will protect their driving privileges.

Given the facts, which lead to the inescapable conclusion that giving driving privileges to a teen puts the youngster at far, far more risk than letting a 5-year-old play outside unsupervised (which most of the same parents would not allow), I must conclude that this is not, to be polite, the most prudent of moves.

I invite anyone to justify this to me in rational terms. Send comments through my Web site at www.rosemond.com.