With the increase of new drivers roaming around the streets of Chandler, students are now wary of driving to school. Some teenagers take the new freedom to an abusive and dangerous level.

They weave in and out of cars, going down crowded streets at ridiculous paces, and try to race each other down public roads.

New drivers seem to not have any recognition for the posted speed limit or even personal boundaries. The four feet between cars is not enough room for a Toyota truck to squeeze into simply because a driver was too impatient to wait in line one hundred feet back.

Not only is it dangerous, it is rude as well. Drivers should be more considerate about changing lanes and also the space between each car.

The fact of the matter is that not every driver wants to ride mere inches away from another persons’ bumper.

Also can students please stop ignoring the posted speed limit signs? It is understandable that some students may be late to class and want to push the envelope a little, but to do 90 mph down a packed street, weaving in and out of cars drifting dangerously down the road only to return to the lane one was originally in is a travesty in the name of driving safety.

Driving should be taken seriously. Teens possibly do not understand the fact that they are in charge of a steel cage that weighs close to 4 tons. That kind of weight can do serious damage both slowly and when speeding.

The only people who should be attempting those speeds on a regular basis are trained professionals who only turn left about a millions times and are not endangering other people in the process.

Also, outside distractions are doing just that- distracting. Students and parents should be concentrating on the road and their surroundings rather than focusing on their iPods, phones, makeup, Circle-K 32 oz. thirst busters, and other irresponsible teens riding in the car.

Driving is a major responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Distractions not only put the driver at risk, but also others around them. Driving down Queen Creek is not a solo venture; many people travel down the road on their way to work, to drop off elementary school kids at Weinberg, or to Perry High School.

Once again, students need to be more aware of the road, its surroundings, and distractions in the area. A public road belongs to a community and safety should always be priority.