Junior year is an exciting time when most start to drive legally. Although many teachers may be nervous for these new drivers to be driving in the parking lot near their cars and the parents afraid for their child’s safety, the student’s excitement is very noticeable. From rushing to get a parking spot, to offering rides to anyone who asks, and for being able to go anywhere you want when you want to; this experience is very new and very thrilling to many.
Teens are very eager to receive their license due to the want of independence and freedom from the tight and strict control of their parents.
“I like having the freedom to go wherever I want, and do whatever I want, without being on a scheduled time. I think the most fun thing I have gotten to do is at pasta parties [for field hockey] I don’t have to wait for my mom to pick me up. I can leave when it’s convenient,” Newtown High School junior Megan Kelleher said.
Many high school students are overloaded with sports and after curricular activities, and one of the big stresses is finding the rides to and from it all. Though the license or permit process may be lengthy and stressful, it all becomes “worth it” when you suddenly do not have to bombard people and your parents with the burden of rides anymore.
“Getting my license would help me so that I wouldn't have to ask for rides and I would be able to get places on time without having to worry about my parents or siblings schedules,” Newtown High School junior Erin Tressler said.
The parents of these student-athletes doing clubs, volunteer service and all their other after school activities, also thank the license for help with the schedules. “Megan getting her license turned into a relief. It makes it easier for us with our busy schedule to not have to worry about her schedule and to get her to where she needed to go on time,” Kelleher’s mother Patty Kelleher said.
Student drivers begin to feel a sense of maturity when they get their license. It comes with a lot of benefits, but it can be hard to essentially do the right thing in many cases. This can come with problems, as age restrictions last six months for family members and one full year for anyone else.
“It was so hard to turn people away [for rides] because people have problems with finding rides, so for me to have a car and not be able to drive them, it is really hard to say no,” Kelleher said. There are many people who driver others illegally and never get caught, which hosts a big risk. Some parents do not care, or don’t know at all what their child is doing, but Mrs. Kelleher always reminds Megan about the right thing to do.
“I do remind her often that it is a huge responsibility to drive a car and that she has to follow the law,” Patty Kelleher said.
Tressler, who has a late December 26 birthday, would need those rides, causing her learners permit test to be very late, and pushing her license test date back. The license process can be very long. After the permit test is taken and passed, there is still a four-six month wait. For many this can get very frustrating at times, due to having to wait the months away.
“I know I can't control the fact that my birthday is much later than everyone else's, but it is extremely annoying not being able to drive when everyone else can,” Tressler said. “Both of my parents work, so getting rides is usually a struggle, and now that people have licenses they go everywhere with friends, but usually can't drive me because they aren't legal yet. So, I feel a little left out sometimes because if my parents can't drive me, then most of the time I can't go wherever I want to.”
The feeling of freedom and a sense of maturity also can come with fears and needing responsibility. The fears might not be in the new drivers and their lack of experience, but nested in their parent’s and teacher’s minds for the concern about their safety.
“My initial response to Megan getting her permit was I was nervous…but after a few times out she picked up the driving skills quickly and I was not nervous anymore,” Patty Kelleher said. Although she trusts her daughter and most parents do, there is always a risk with putting a 16 year old behind a wheel. “Although accidents happen, I still get nervous when she goes out and hope she is doing her part to be a safe driver.”
Along with the nerves of the parents, the teachers are timid for the newly licensed students to be driving all over town.
“I think most new drivers try to be careful, and since I just backed into an SUV last Thursday, I’m not one to throw the proverbial stone,” NHS English teacher Ellie Hanna said. “I had no worries until I thought of Ali (Manfredi, a NHS junior who recently got her license) behind the wheel. I will certainly be watching out for her!”
Despite the gas prices, turning people down for rides and the fear embedded in the teacher and parent’s minds, the benefits of being able to drive yourself wherever you want to is makes it all well worth it. However, it always comes with a risk aspect. But if you are confident in yourself and your driving capabilities, the positive outcomes will come easy.