With mounting parental concerns regarding the number of underage, unlicensed teenage drivers in Great Neck, a special program was presented at the March 24, United Parent Teacher Council (UPTC) meeting. Dr. William Shine, superintendent of the Great Neck Public Schools, moderated a panel of law enforcement officials and a village justice from the penisula to a roomful of approximately 100 parents.

Participants were: 6th Precinct Commanding Officer, Edward Dooley; Great Neck Estates Chief of Police John McNulty; Lake Success Police Sergeant Bill Lang; King's Point Police Lieutenant Jack Miller and Great Neck Estates Acting Justice Eugene Schuster.

Arthur Goldstein, director of Ezra Driving Academy, a driving school that is certified by the New York State Department of Education, and is widely used by residents, was also present.

Under a barrage of questions, Mr. Goldstein acknowledged that Ezra has not been requiring proof of birth, resulting in teenagers not yet 16 being enrolled in his program and driving illegally. He pledged that in the future, his academy will require a copy of an applicant's birth certificate in order to signup. He also agreed to meet with a parent committee under the auspices of UPTC to further improve coordination and communication between his business and parents.

Lake Success Village Justice Howard Boris, who was unable to attend the meeting due to his court schedule, sent a hand-out with court dates listed, along with an invitation for parents and teens to monitor Lake Success court sessions to see how the system works. He indicated that he sometimes imposes a sentence of community service for teen driving offenses and may start requiring a visit to the Nassau County jail.

In discussing driver education in general, Dr. Shine stated that the secondary schools have permitted representatives from Ezra to register teenagers in the school setting, solely for the convenience of parents. The school district does not have a contract arrangement with Ezra (as that is not permitted under the teachers contract), nor does the district endorse their program. He noted that driver education is offered on a very limited basis in the Great Neck schools because it is "prohibitively expensive."

In introducing the police officials, Dr. Shine praised them for their cooperation with the Great Neck Public Schools and for their invaluable assistance in promoting the safety of all students. Parents made it clear to the panel that they are not asking the police to pull teenagers over indiscriminately, which would violate their civil rights, but are asking for stricter enforcement of existing laws. The panelists emphasized that if a teen is not wearing a seat belt, is speeding or driving recklessly, he or she may be stopped and licenses checked.

It is the policy of many courts that when a minor appears before a judge, he or she must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If a teen is found guilty of driving illegally and it can be proven that the parent "knowingly" allowed it, the parent's license may be suspended or revoked. Sgt. Lang indicated that the courts may also impound the parents' vehicle. In addition, under certain circumstances, parents risk cancellation of automobile insurance and umbrella insurance policies and may be subject to civil and criminal charges. Teens risk having a licence suspended or revoked and an extension of their probationary period. Many parents expressed a concern that if a "fine only" is imposed, many teens will still not "get the message," especially if parents write the check. Justice Schuster stressed that sometimes it is difficult to prove that parents "knowingly" give consent for their teens to drive illegally.

Commander Dooley and Chief McNulty reviewed the basic categories of licensing requirements and restrictions, and urged that this information be disseminated:

You may not drive under the age of 16.

You may drive at the age of 16 as follows: If you have a Learner's Permit with written parental consent and are accompanied by a licensed driver of at least 18 years of age.

You may obtain a Junior License at the age of 16 as follows: You passed your road test, have taken a five-hour driving course and hold a Learner's Permit. The following restrictions apply: Can drive only between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. if accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian, driver's education teacher or driving school instructor. Can drive alone only to and from work or to and from a state-approved work-study program. (Must carry a form signed by the employer stating days and work hours and specified route)

You may obtain a full license as follows: At the age of 18, you have a Junior License which will transition into a full License or at the age of 17, you have obtained a Junior License and a Blue Card from a state certified driver's education program.

In addition, they noted that it is illegal to drive in all areas of New York City, while under the age of 17.

Panelists agreed that ultimately, parents must teach their children to respect the laws by setting a good example of defensive, responsible driving habits themselves.

While it is understandable that teenagers look forward to the passageway into adulthood that driving symbolizes and the freedom and "coolness" that it affords, it is also clear that illegal, inexperienced drivers put themselves and others at risk.

According to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, "Motor vehicle-related crashes remain the leading cause of death in youth from 16 through 20 years of age, resulting in more than 5,000 such deaths annually."

To successfully navigate Middle Neck Road is a challenge to all drivers, no matter how skilled and cautious. Weary from countless carpools with teens, who are humiliated to be seen being chauffeured, some parents feign ignorance or demonstrate outright indifference to the laws. Some of the parents who took a stand for zero tolerance at the meeting are aware they probably will not garner any favor on the home front with their teens. Despite the unpopularity of raising the issue, one parent put it succinctly, "We are just lucky that there hasn't been a driving tragedy involving an underage driver. We must prevent that from happening."