It's not a criticism, it's an observation.
How's my driving?
Mike Cox

Driving south on Highway 21, just before it widens into four lanes, I noticed a van approaching me. The driver swerved off the road to the right, swung hard left and executed a ragged 180 heading into the direction I was going.

The van, sporting a heating and air company logo from Mississippi, drove across four lanes of asphalt, ran onto someone's grass, and then came back on the highway without looking. He spun his wheels as he accelerate and then slowly straightened into the far right lane as I passed in the left. That's when I spotted the

bumper sticker; How is my

Driving?

This was the third vehicle in a week to do something stupid in traffic and have a number to call and report poor driving. A big truck pulled in front of me on I- 26 the other day. His How's My Driving decal had the phone number obliterated by Krylon. A dubious idea to begin with, the practice of reporting bad corporate drivers has run its course.

It's safe to assume from highway habits that no one is doing much thinking, no matter what the message on the bumper says. We've all had

someone with a What

Would Jesus Do declaration on the mini-van run us into the guardrail to keep from having to slow down or hang up the cell.

Now a lovely couple in Grand Rapids, Michigan started making snitch bumper stickers to specifically address young drivers. They have three teens of their own and after one of the daughters ratted out her 18- year- old brother for speeding in the driveway; they decided this was a good idea.

My first thought was how easy it is to mess with those you don't like. Anyone who lived through their teen years knows kids are the nastiest people on the planet. They have a strict social structure and do anything to punish outsiders. Having a ready phone number to file fake reports and get people in trouble is better than parents leaving for the weekend.

There is also an opportunity for those of us who feel youth has passed us by to take revenge on young whippersnappers. It is tempting to call and report some hot rod teenager for vague driving irregularities; especially right after the Wendy's server called you "Sir".

But the primary reason this is a bad idea is because snooping on your kids is a breach of trust. Growing up is supposed to be a time to jump off the cliff and try to fly. Sometimes you soar; sometimes you crash and burn. Either way, you learn a little about life and a lot about yourself.

Having parents hovering over you, whether to provide false self esteem or eavesdropping on everything you do, does more harm than good.

It was wrong when I was 15 and it's wrong now, regardless of what TV specialists say. There are ways to discipline kids and provide guidance without smothering them; they just require effort and common sense. What if there was a 1-800 number to report bad parents?