Regarding the proposal by Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, to ban school buses for high schools (Buttars: Ax high school bus, 12th grade," Tribune , Feb. 1), Utah needs to address this issue differently. Not long ago The Tribune reported that Utah has the worst air in the nation and much of it is caused by cars. Monday through Friday, Salt Lake Valley high schools have full parking lots and cars lined up for blocks. Even on "voluntary" no-drive "red" days, there is no change. Knowing how a teenager thinks, the bus is not "cool," but students do not have to drive to school, and only the privileged with cars do.

For the sake of the air, we should make it mandatory for students to ride the bus unless they have a job or other function they absolutely have to go to, and that does not include lunch at the local burger joint. Driving is a privilege, not a right, and it is not always necessary. I'm not against kids driving, and I know the air problem is not all their fault, but while they are young and impressionable, they need to be made aware of the problem they are helping to create.

Melissa Newton

Draper