Joyride ends in no joy for underage driver

Concerns by residents that unlicensed drivers, especially underage drivers continue to drive cars on our streets, posing a danger not only to themselves, but to other motorists and pedestrians as well, are on the increase, with little or no action being taken by the relevant authorities to curb the problem.
This concern was apparent to Yusuf Rodrick, a COPS security guard and eyewitness, who saw a car careen out of control, and roll before coming to a halt, driven by an apparent underage driver who had a passenger. This incident occurred late afternoon this past Tuesday, (March 23) on Petrus Myburgh Street, Erasmia.
Yusuf told the Laudium Sun, “I was standing out here at the shopping centre, on Willem Erasmus Road, when this young underage boy driving a Red BMW, turned into Petrus Myburgh Street in a reckless fashion. He drove as if he was racing with someone.” Uncertain if the driver was inebriated, Yusuf continued, “Within a few meters, the car hit a tree, then rolled three times. The youngster and his female passenger were lucky as there were no injuries or worse, death. After the incident, the youngster emerged from the car and ran away.” Yusuf expressed extreme disappointment at the behaviour of these young unlicensed drivers.
Noting that the parents in most cases are not vigilant enough and in fact give permission to their underage kids to drive their cars, Yusuf decried these accidents as preventable and potentially fatal. Yusuf firmly felt that “This accident is a warning to discipline these young boys”. A bystander who witnessed the incident, but did not want his name mentioned, for fear of reprisal, said, “What I find very disturbing is that after the underage driver ran away, some family members came to the scene and one of the adults claimed that he was driving the car. This was a blatant lie as I saw the driver running away.
It is unfortunate that the adults of today are covering up with lies and deceit for the youngsters. What kind of example are we setting? Not only are they committing perjury but also commit fraud by claiming from insurance.” The bystander added, “The propensity for youngsters to demand the vehicles or steal it without parental permission seems to be prevalent locally. However, parents should realise that they are responsible for the actions of the underage drivers. Accidents, injuries, and fatalities are a harsh reality to consider.” Nishan Chetty, a relative of the alleged underage driver, who was at the scene, refused to comment.
*Globally, underage drivers are up to 33% more likely to have accidents than older, more experienced drivers. Underage drivers cause up to 30% of road fatalities.
In a patriarchal society such as in Laudium, the unacceptable behaviour of these young men put themselves and others in grave danger. Statistically young men between the ages of 16 and 25 are the most dangerous group worldwide, in many respects.
It is time to stop the patriarchal attitudes which give rise to young men assuming they have the right to certain behaviours. Too many families have experienced loss from such recklessness and gender-based attitudes.