According to PennDOT, since 1999 the number of teens getting their license has decreased by almost half. Historically, 16 year olds couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel.
“I don’t think it matters when teens get their licenses, as long as they are able to get it when they are ready,” said Mrs. Lampus. “Back in 1999 people weren’t able to contact their friends and interact with other people like they can online.”
People say this is a big reason why teens aren’t motivated nowadays.
The technology that we have now connects with other people around the World, and to your friends, just from the comfort of your home. So people see that there is no need to have to drive if they can just call, text, or play video games with their friends at home.
“I was scared of how unpredictable it was. I knew how I was gonna’ drive, but I couldn’t predict how other people would,” said senior Ali Rhodes.
This is one of the many reasons why teens are afraid to drive.
According to the website Bankrate, the effort required or feeling overwhelmed due to more responsibilities is one of the main reasons why teens are afraid to get their licenses. Having your license comes with many responsibilities, and some teens just aren’t ready for that responsibility.
Some parents don’t want their kids to get their licenses because they’re worried for their safety.
Mrs. Lampus was a, “Little bit nervous, but happy, because I didn’t have to drive them everywhere.” Some parents also just don’t want to go through the process of teaching their children how to drive. “Nervous, as they got more comfortable and confident, I felt better about it.”
All parents are going to be nervous about it, but some parents don’t want to have to go through that. Some parents want their kids to get their licenses because they aren’t able to drive them everywhere anymore.
A lot of students also think that it’s worth it and the benefits to driving are worth the responsibilities.
“I can do whatever I want without having to rely on other people,” said junior Zach Saeler.
When having your license as a teen, you get your first taste of freedom, and being on your own, and that feeling is something that you never forget.
Work and sports are some of the main reasons why teens feel the need to get their licenses, but some people see it as a want.
“It was more of a want. I wanted to drive myself around,” said Mrs. Lampus.
People just want to have that freedom without having to rely on other people. Some people also don’t want to have to wait six months to be able to get their license, because back in the day you didn’t have to.
“I got my license three months after I got my permit,” said Mrs. Lampus. Some people would wait even less and only wait maybe a week or two to test for their license.
“The test was easy. I passed my first try,” said Saeler.
The test isn’t difficult, you just have to know what you’re doing, but regardless of that, that’s a big reason teens don’t get their license, because they are afraid of failure.
Getting your license can be scary for some people, but sources prove that it’s worth it. The freedom and the responsibilities after all of that it’s worth it, but teens still proceed to not get their license.
“Having your license is great and the freedom is so worth it,” said Saeler.
