Student Outlook -- Huong Thai

Sixteen marks the age of many monumental events in a typical

teenager’s life For one thing, it means the time for one to take on the

largest responsibility yet -- driving.

That’s right, since many teenagers are usually very eager to drive,

most have probably received a permit at 15 and have been driving around

with their parents.

By the time teenagers reach 16, they probably can’t wait to actually

drive on their own. Thus, turning 16 gives them this opportunity once

they pass the driving test.

Yet some may argue that teenagers at 16 are still too young to drive

and that they shouldn’t even get behind the wheel until they are 18 or

even 20. They claim that due to our age, along with our inexperience, we

would not be able to handle such a big responsibility. Furthermore,

driving takes a lot of practice, concentration and caution and, according

to many adults, most 16-year-old teenagers lack these necessities. Thus,

they believe that teenagers would be mature and ready to drive when they

reach 19 or 20.

On the other hand, most teenagers and other advocates would counter

that teenagers at 16 are mature enough to drive. Furthermore, the current

law requires that prior to taking the driving test at 16, teenagers must

take a driver’s education course, behind-the-wheel class, pass the permit

test, along with driving with their parents for a total of 50 hours.

Thus, with all of this practice beforehand, it is inevitable that

teenagers should be very well prepared to drive.

Of course, getting the driver’s license is not easy. First, one must

go through the entire process prior to taking the driving test at the

Department of Motor Vehicles.

Next comes the most difficult aspect for many teenagers: taking the

driving test. Most of us have, at one time or another, heard stories from

friends and those around us about how miserably they failed their first

driving test. Some of us may experience similar results, but with a

little practice and self-confidence, one can increase that chance of

passing the first time around.

Overall, we teenagers should be glad that the current law allows us to

drive on our own as early as 16. This opportunity to drive ourselves

would grant us greater independence and greater power over our own daily

life; still, always remember “With great power comes great

responsibility” (the theme from Spider-Man).

* HUONG THAI is a sophomore at Estancia High School where she is the

editor of El Aguila’s opinion page. Her columns will appear occasionally

in the Community Forum section.