On the Open Road

On the Open Road by Sam Elkins staff writer Taking a look behind the wheel with Central students

eaving the Secretary of State, seeing that fresh printed card that allows you to cruise the open roads is extremely rewarding. To most, a driver’s license is one of the most valuable objects they own because of the freedom attached to it. Before you get your license, you go to Driver’s Training. But when it comes down to it, the difference between your permit and official license is substantial. Michael Auger 24’ recently finished Drivers Training Segment One and states, “it was really fun, I went through Drive My Way. We all kind of got to know each other pretty well, but I was pretty intimidated by the class because you have a lot to learn.” Auger claims. He also views Segment Two of Driver’s Training as “just like [Segment One] but a bit shorter and easier, since you don’t have to do any drives.” Auger ultimately enjoys the opportunity to get his license after completing drivers training. “It’s like having freedom in a way, not having to get rides and things like going to the gym without having to ask for a ride is really great.” He then comments, “My girlfriend has a license and I know she loves driving because of the freedom.” That makes him want to get his license more “because literally everything I do involves driving and every time I want to go to the gym and my mom or sister won’t drive me, I need to find a ride,” he notes. Colton Manthei 23’ has had his license for a few months and thoroughly enjoys it. “It’s the independence that I love. If I want to go to a football game I can, if I want to go to an extracurricular activity I can,” he explains. Due to Manthei’s age, he still has some limitations on driving. For example, he can’t ride with more than one person who is not over the age of 18 in his car until he is 18 himself, which ap-

Lplies to every under 18 year old driver. Getting your license is a big milestone for students. It gives a new sense of responsibility. Getting rides is a very large thing that can be very hard on students. For example if they miss the bus and their parents or siblings won’t drive them, it then makes issues on getting to school. Getting a licenese prevents these issues from happening. “It’s more your responsibility now that it’s something that your parents aren’t paying for - it’s all you. Things like having to refill your gas tank, being on the road, and having that responsibility [of] driving and having other people’s lives in your hands is a lot [to deal with],” Macyn Emery ‘23 states. This responsibility grants more freedom. You can do more and go to more places. “It just feels nice. I can drive to work. Drive home from work. Drive to burger king. Lots of opportunities to have because of my license,” Manthei says. And then there’s reckless driving. Studies shown between the high school ages 32.8 percent have texted or emailed while driving. And 12 percent of distracted drivers involved in fatal car accidents were teens 15-19. “[There’s] a lot of things [stressful] about driving. Just today I was running late, and going into the school parking lot and some guy was breaking annoyingly and I had sensory overload.” Manthei states. That can happen to any young driver of having a lot going on to keep track of during their time on the road. So from Drivers Training to being officially on the road, having a driver’s license is a helpful and positive impact on not just Central students, but all people when used responsibly. //

Graphic: E. Phillips