12 Year Olds Driving in the News- WTF?

Three news stories in the last ten days about 12 year olds getting caught driving. We're not talking about down to the end of the driveway, either. Drunk driving, a 100 mile joyride and 27.5 miles with three other children in the car. Seriously, WTF? I wouldn't let a 12 year old drive a riding lawnmower. Well, maybe just down to the end of the driveway, but...