I have a 14-year old who races on the road. He would like to do CX, but his real passion is soccer and his club season is in the fall. We've also gone to the track and loved it. And from a parent's POV, it's so much safer. But it's a 3-hour drive for us to the nearest velodrome, so it's not exactly convenient. When we have done some road training, it's mostly been on the bike path or quieter roads I can take him on. I've also taken him on the Saturday B Ride a handful of times. He's definitely not the sketchiest rider in that pack....
But I know what you're saying. One of his classmates was just hit on the way to school the other day and is in the hospital awaiting surgery. It was pretty bad, but could have been worse.