Driving at 16: Thrill or Chill?

Freedom at last!

The slippery silver key in your eager hand affirms your superiority over your younger sibling. You leap into the car. Wind gushes past your face as you ride into the crisp Syracuse air. But it's different this time. Now you drive!

After waiting what seems like forever to most students, 16-year-olds frantically get all requirements out of the way to finally be able to hit the road as a new driver. "I'm taking driver's ed.," said junior Joe Hall. Kelsey Cook, also a junior, obtained her learner's permit in mid May, but still needs to schedule her road test.

Most teens love the thrill associated with driving. "It's fun!" said senior Corrine Seay. "You feel like you're in control, and it's a new step in your life," she said. "I feel comfortable when I'm driving," said junior Andrew Wanamaker, who drives himself to school every day. It makes him feel more independent. "It's great because you don't have to rely on other people to drive you everywhere," said Cook. "It's exhilarating because your life's in your own hands," said junior Rebecca Bergman.

However, some students admit that it's a little scary. "[Driving] can make me nervous when other drivers aren't being careful," says junior Amanda Hand, who has been driving for about three months. "It's sort of nerve-wracking," agrees Cook.

A few sophomores are counting down to the days until they will be able to drive. "I am extremely excited," said sophomore Chip Weber, who will turn 16 in March.

But some students are in no rush to become a driver. "I don't drive yet," said senior Nicole Huerta. She's concerned about the fees that the DMV imposes on New York state drivers. Despite the rise in cost, Huerta is considering getting her learner's permit during the winter.

Despite the thrill, most students at J-DHS like the driving age at 16. "Sixteen is perfect, because people have jobs to get to, and below 16 would just be pushing it," says Hand. "I think it should stay the way it is because it works out," said Hall. "The more inexperienced drivers in the area, the more dangerous it becomes," he said.

However, junior Avery Shore believes the driving age should be lowered. "I think that you should be able to get your permit when you're 15-and-a-half, and get your license at 16 like in some other states," she said. Some states where this is the scenario for teens are Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Despite the mixed response, the message is clear. No matter when they learn, driving is a rite of passage for all teens.