Title:  Ab-Only Sex Ed Activists Now Embark To Change Teen Driving Standards

Abstinence-only-until-marriage proponents have broadened the scope of their activism, with many now advocating for teenage driver reform. The sudden shift of focus comes from a recently published study analyzing statistical data and safety concerns relating to young drivers involved in automobile accidents.

Currently, many states allow teenagers to obtain a driver's license at the age of 16 upon the receipt of a driver's education certificate. Abstinence-only advocates, however, have begun rethinking this system. Leslee Unruh, the current director the Abstinence Clearinghouse, believes that young people, and teenagers in particular, are being taught wrongfully that driving can be a safe and acceptable practice at a young age. She believes that teaching young people that driving can be done safely, especially at a time when they are most vulnerable, is destroying American families, and that states are responsible for increases in teenage fatalities.

“Kids are smart. They respond. They respond negatively to a mixed message. They don't want to be told 'Ok, wear a seat belt, and you'll be fine.' They want to know 'should I drive and risk my life, my emotions,' or 'should I should I just wait,'” stated Leslee. “There's only one safe choice, and that's to wait.”

To Leslee's credit, her belief has been supported by a report recently published by The Christian Science Research Institute. The study found that upwards of 50% of teenage fatalities occurred because of safety belt complications, leading many ab-only advocates to rally for their removal. The study concluded further that other issues, such as drinking, drug use, suicide, and depression can all be linked to the confusion young people are faced with when they are on the road. The report criticized state governments for their “so-called comprehensive driver's education mandates,” citing that this poor policy has led to millions of teenage deaths and and an unreasonable amount of risky behavior.

Leslee and others have now began taking their argument to state legislatures, urging them to draft and pass legislation that would make it necessary to be in a committed, strong marriage before a driver's license will be issued to the patriarch of the family. This legislation would also eliminate the notion that driving can be safe before adulthood.

Leslee and others have made some success in persuading corporate America to join them in their crusade as well. Automaker Toyota, in light of their recent safety scandal, announced that they would begin phasing out their safety belts in an attempt to not only eliminate risk, but also to reduce customer costs significantly.

In response to backlash, Leslee stated that “[w]e don't want to limit a young person's abilities by encouraging them to drive.” Instead, she insists that we teach alternatives to driving, such as riding a bike, roller skating, walking, or skipping. She, and many others, envision an America where all young people are free from the dangers of driving unsafely at a young age —an America where children are out of vehicles, and are instead playing preciously in the street.