‘Who wouldn’t want to drive?’
In a world of 7.4 billion people, each individual is unique in his or her characteristics, traits, hobbies and appearance. Yet what starts to group people together is their shared dislike or penchant toward something. Amusement parks, arts, the sciences and many more seem to have this effect on people. Perhaps the most widely discussed and known activity that has the most widespread effects of this behavior is driving.
At the onset of a 16th birthday, it is a tradition for many to get their permit. A piece of paper that acts as the first stride toward learning how to drive. The permit is the first step toward freedom and adulthood for many. Some will rush and anticipate their birthday, yearning for the chance to learn to drive and to eventually get their license. But then again, there are those who will wait and wait and wait, and eventually will come around to the idea.
Learning how to drive is not only convenient for getting around quicker or helping parents out, it’s becoming a necessity. The requirement of government-issued identifications and the need to carry an ID with you for concerts, movies, museums, and shops makes it important to have a license that doubles as an ID. The ability to go “wherever” you want is synonymous with freedom for those living in rural or suburban areas. As my friends say, “Who wouldn’t want to drive?”
However, there are many people who would shake their heads in disagreement to the above question. For them, myself included, “Who would want to drive?” is a better question. I am deterred from driving for one reason in particular: I’m paralyzed by the fear of getting into an accident with another car. The road can be especially terrifying at busy intersections and the fact that accidents happen every day only adds to my fears. Acknowledging all of the benefits that driving has, I’m still in denial of getting a license. However, in my school, most of my friends have their license and drive to school every day.
The pressure to get a license during high school increases for many of the non-driving students by the many students that drive and the older generations insisting that it’s a rite of passage, and a ticket to freedom. Today it has become harder and harder to find people at 16 who don’t have their permit and aren’t practicing for their license. Perhaps such students are deterred from the high maintenance and cost of having a car. Also, with a parent or friend giving them a ride to school or work, the necessity might not be there. Still the fear of getting into an accident is with many people and can be the No. 1 deterrent. This fear exists in all people, but its magnitude ranges from having almost no influence to having a substantial influence on someone’s desire to drive.
For some, the drive to drive may be nonexistent, but for many others the fear of driving is overpowered by its increasing necessity.
Sobana Balasubramanian is junior at Arlington High School. Contact her at email@example.com