Wow, this is tough, my sons are 18, 16, and 14.
I'm not one of 'those kids', but I totally agree with Manarius. I believe a different approach will serve better. The 'fear technique' is doomed to fail both parties. He will resent the experience. If you trying to say, 'I love you, please take care of yourself', make the point, he will respect that.
I also agree with Mike, when my daughter got her license, she and I attended a driving safety course at Infineon speedway. Lane changes at 40mph, skid car, max braking without abs [should have taught how to manage car with abs]. At 16, it is difficult to gain that experience on the street, not without wrecking.
You didn't say what car he was driving, that makes a difference in my book on whether one can safely drive 80mph in a specified condition. But I agree with you, 80mph in the described conditions is foolish. Who was with him in the car, that also makes a difference in my book.
My 'single' mom took my keys 30 years ago because I came home too late one night, keys to my shaker-hooded 428 Mach 1. I was 16. Only problem was, I bought the car with a broken engine, blueprinted it, paid all gas and insurance. I was careful [but not always slow] because I WAS RESPONSIBLE, I PAID THE BILLS. It was my freedom, because I earned it, and if I blew it, no one would be there to cover for stupidity. I hitched rides with buddies without complaint, until she returned MY keys a week later.
Responsibility is the best way. Freedom demands responsibility. Does he realize that HIS tickets, and mishaps, are HIS responsibility to bear?
Interesting, I had this conversation with my 16 year old son last night. The newly running silver 4.11 SVX is for him to go to school and school activities [basketball practice] and to transport his brother when Jon stays at my place. He says, 'then it really isn't my car, is it'. I said no, it's our car.
Keep us posted!
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Originally Posted by Manarius
Well, I happen to be one of those "kids" and I can tell you right now, taking away his license isn't going to get the point across. Neither is making him go to see a Mountie. It's just going to make him mad and resent you more. I wouldn't give him a beautiful car to begin with and I'd do those "responsibility" things mentioned above. Make him buy a crap car (or get one for him) and make him take care of it. If he wrecks it, he has to ride the bus.
I got my dad's old 91 Legacy when he got a new car. He told me straight up that if I wrecked it that it wouldn't be repaired unless the repair was doable (as in $500 or less). After driving for nearly two years, I've only managed to damage the car once by sliding into a guard rail at 5 mph in the ice. I also take care of the car like it's my baby. And you know, on occasion, I speed a little bit, but it's my neck on the line if I do it.
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