The driving force behind teenagers’ fervent need for a license is the desire for freedom. The freedom to go where you want, to be liberated from the chains binding you to your parents. No longer will you have to ask your parent to drive you to school, to the mall, to your friend’s house. No longer will you be dependent upon their schedule, their wishes. Most kids dream of this promise of adulthood.
When I tried to describe to my mother my complete disinterest in learning to drive, the comfort and even relief I felt in not having that responsibility, she was less than sympathetic. Parents want their children to drive almost as much as the kids do themselves. Sure, they feel a sense of worry and anxiety, but once their kid gets a license, a parent no longer has to be a personal chauffer, spending all their free time driving.
My parents’ less than subtle nudging is the only reason I have made any progress at all in finding driving school and studying for the tests. While my peers all are anxious to be driving, I’m not. In fact, I’m dreading it. The minute I am in that car I am responsible for my own life and the lives of everyone else on the road, a lot of pressure for a fifteen year old to be under. I’m afraid that I’ll make a fatal mistake, of failing, of not being worthy of the responsibility. But I have to get my license…as my mom says; she won’t drive me around forever.
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I was really nervous too, people can die in car accidents, but you are a better driver when you are not so nervous. I knocked a wall down with a car, but my life went on, and now I drive every day. I still enjoy when other people are the ones driving, but the responsibility is well worth the risk.
Hey Taylor,
I heard about your blog from Sarah McColl. You did a really good job on this and it caught my attention. You’re right, I would be scared to get my license too because I’m responsible for actual lives. Again, very well done.
~Kortney~
I feel the same. I am not anxious to drive because I am always hearing about scary car accidents. One minute you are laughing or singing a song with the radio, and the next you could be gone. My parents, unlike most others are not pushing me to drive for the same reasons.
i totally agree…. teens just need to stop texting while driving and not be in such a rush
Hi Taylor,
I loved your statement and your genuine concern for your life and the other motorist. The key concept to remember is that driving is a huge responsibility no matter how hold you are. As long as you relax and stay aware of your surroundings you will be find.
Accepting different responsibilities like driving is a sign of growth. Your family wants to make sure that you will grow into the person you are supposed to be and not become dependent when you come up to changes that are too hard.
I wish you much look on your driving adventures. Remember to keep your seat belt on and No Texting!!!
JeT’aime
I also felt the same way. When I was 15, a good friend of mine died in a snow-related crash, and that was enough to scare me from getting my license. I waited until I was 17 to get my license and even then, I was really reluctant to get it because it was SO much pressure. I finally buckled because I was sick of asking my parents, older sister, and other friends to drive me everywhere, and I knew that I would be responsible behind the wheel. I RARELY drove with any friends in the car, only when it was necessary. I ALWAYS wore my seatbelt and made sure not to speed. After a while, I was glad to have my license and I had proven to myself that I was ready!
Your parents have a good point insisting you to drive, maybe they see something you don’t. Driving can be scary but it is also a necessity in modern day life. They probably are just looking out for you and really are trying to encourage you to be more independent. AS long as you’re careful I don’t really see your reluctance. If driving scares you, maybe facing your fears is a good thing.
Taylor,
Your sense of responsibility is admirable, because too many teens move into driving with a casual attitude that too often results in a casualty. Interesting how the two words can be so related is certain situations.
I encourage you not to fee like you have to drive others until you are ready. If you start with short, low speed drives here and there, you’re confidence will grow. There’s no hurry here, and at the same time don’t let fear alone stop you from possibilities in life. Yes, people do get hurt on the road, but it’s not usually the careful ones- and you’ll be one of those.
The best to you,
Tim Hillwood
This is a very powerful video released by the French government concerning teenage drinking and driving. It’s very well done. You don’t have to understand the French to understand the message.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfMKktpowx0
Will it work?
yes, teens MUST stop texting or talking on their cell phones while driving. My youngest lost her drivers permit just because of that, I think it was good decision from police’s side.
Sometimes I think that teens are simply unaware of just how dangerous an automobile can be. It takes just one second that you’re not paying attention to ruin lives. Furthermore, a sending a TEXT it an activity that requires some degree of commitment…perhaps even over a minute of time behind the wheel. I think that clear, honest communication with our teens is a great way to discourage such dangerous, life-threatening activities.
This is a driving school that is doing things correctly [in my opinion]. If you take a look, I think you’ll see from the videos that the instructors here are precisely the sorts of people that can connect to teens on issues that go further than your standard “rules of the road”:
http://www.topdriver.com/
If teens saw their instructors as more than just stuffed shirts, I think they would pay more attention to anti-texting and driving messages, don’t you agree?