Unpopular Opinion: Driving is Overrated by Arianna Puleo

     Last year, two of my best friends got their licenses. And I felt left out. My friends could meet up whenever they wanted, with no parents necessary, and I couldn't. So when school began and I took Driver's Ed, I was so excited! And as the days went on my anticipation grew. Then, I passed the written test, and I was anxious to get on the road!

    I scheduled my 6 hours and when the time came, sat behind the wheel and started to drive. And the longer I drove, the more I realized: driving is overrated. Don't get me wrong, I like driving just fine, but I don't feel the need to go driving every day. I'm excited to be able to go places on my own, but the actual idea of driving is just not that special to me. I don't feel an adrenaline rush when I get into the driver's seat, and I don't beg my parents to let me drive to the grocery store.

    Now I know many of you disagree, but think about why you actually want to drive. Is it the idea of driving or being independent? You don't need to drive to have independence. 

    And think about the responsibility! With driving comes getting a job to pay for gas, insurance, maintenance, and for some even the car itself. You also always have to remember your license, and under a probationary license, you must be mindful of the extra rules and regulations. 

    Driving also means being thrown onto a highway where you have to hope the driver next to you isn't a moron. It's no longer your parent's responsibility to compensate for other people's mistakes; now it's yours. You're the one who has to get out of a skid. You're the one who has to stay alert in the car. You're the one who has to fight the urge to look at your phone when it rings. 

    Driving: A teenager's rite of passage... or maybe not.