I couldn’t help myself. Despite my husband’s and brother-in-law’s urging to just “let it go,” I didn’t. I think something in me simply snapped. In an instant I was out of my seat inside the McDonald’s restaurant in Elm Grove last week.

What brought me to my feet was anger. You see while sitting there watching a couple of preschoolers playing inside the kiddie area of the business, there were sounds and sights that caught my attention. With a clear view of the entrance to the McDonald’s parking lot, I saw and heard three small cars speeding into the lot.

One by one they flew around the lot as if they were having some sort of race or TikTok challenge. I held my breath that these vehicles would avoid striking a pedestrian or other vehicles. By the grace of God, they managed to slide into parking spaces each next to one another.

I went to the window to see who these drivers were. I was seeing red when I realized that the drivers were three young females who were probably in their teens at best. Due to my agitated state of mind, I decided it was best to approach the manager of the business with my complaint about the dangerous maneuvers of these three drivers on the McDonald’s property.

I was afraid to approach the girls for fear I could end up in jail. The manager listened to my complaint. I don’t know if she approached the girls or not because I felt it was best to get out of there before I said or did something I would regret.

Now some of you may think I was an overreacting grandmother type who should just mind her own business. After all, no one was hurt — this time. Kids will be kids, right?

Yet all I could think about for the rest of the day was how many parents I have known locally who have lost teens to the careless or reckless driving of others. What those parents would give for just one more day with their children … It’s heartbreaking and nothing we do or say can take away their pain and loss.

So when I witnessed some young girls driving with such disregard for others, I was incensed. Driving is a privilege earned by safe and responsible driving habits. It’s not an entitlement. I hope the parents of those three girls will see this and remind their children of their responsibilities behind the wheel before someone else ends up in a cemetery.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.