One year and five days have passed since I stood before the judge with Josiah for his drivers licensing ceremony. This morning, I stood before the same judge in the same place with Abby. She is a good and cautious driver.
The crowd representing Stafford County’s newest drivers spanned many races: white, black, latino, asian, indian, islanders, etc.
A man in front of us wore a suit with his long black hair pulled up in a knot on the back of his head, and his daughter had her hair piled up in a mini beehive with a strand of pearls. A multi-generation family (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins) of immigrants were there to support their teen driver. A marine dad was there with his long haired son. Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters – families of all types.
The court notice informed everyone that children would not be allowed in the courtroom, but several teen moms showed up with babies in tow. The state troopers allowed the babies into the courtroom. It was cold in the hallway. One baby decided to blow raspberries throughout the judges speech. I suspect, most of the teens probably wished they could join in.
The judge implored the crowd of teen drivers to drive cautiously and defensively. He, once again, informed the parents that they had the right, as well as the court and the DMV to take away their child’s license.
He also told the teens that if they are charged with underage possession of alcohol or drugs, even if they are not in a car, they will have their license suspended for six months, no exceptions.
The judge’s description of the number of accidents created from a moments inattention has played out over the course of this last year in the lives of Josiah and his friends. His group of twelve friends has experienced six accidents (two of which totaled a car). Thankfully, throughout their first year of driving, no one has been seriously injured.
Since his car accident last May, Josiah attended a defensive driver’s course, performed community service, and paid his fine. His ticket has now been cleared by the court.
Towards the end of the ceremony, the judge gave the statistic that strikes fear into the heart.
He told us that one teen driver sitting in the room with us would be dead a year from now because of an automobile accident.
As with the last time I listened to those words, I prayed to God for my children’s safety and pleaded with my children to be attentive when they drive.
I thought of Hebrews 9:27. “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement,”
We will all stand before the judge.
I highly recommend you have an advocate.
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2