Claude Kennedy: Budget cuts vs. public safety

Regarding the June 23 Road Worrier column “Many say N.C. still needs driver’s ed”: Recent N.C. Senate proposals to end driver education funding and move driver education programs to community colleges make no sense.

It would be difficult for many public school students to get to a community college for instruction.

Who will hire and evaluate the driver education classroom instructors and behind-the-wheel instructors? How will vehicles properly equipped with a passenger-side safety brake be furnished?

Currently, the legislature funds public school systems to provide after-school instruction in high schools. Some use professional driving schools to provide this instruction; others provide trained instructors and vehicles themselves. Either way, high schools provide space for driver instruction, which occurs shortly after the academic day ends, while students are still on campus.

Moving driver education to community colleges is less convenient to students and parents. Without continued funding, families must pay out of their pockets for children to get a professionally taught driver education course. Lower income families often can’t afford such basic training.

Having more young drivers without professional instruction on our streets and roads poses a risk to them and to all other drivers. Why change a current system that is effective? Cutting budgets must be weighed against public safety.

This story was originally published June 30, 2015 at 5:48 PM with the headline "Claude Kennedy: Budget cuts vs. public safety."