Macro Blog 8 - The Keys to Freedom

When the automobile was first invented, few people were able to afford one. Time passed, and driving became integrated with our daily lives. Nowadays, just about every family owns at least one car. The need for driving has increased, as well as the number of drivers. I myself became a licensed driver approximately fifteen days ago and I am very pleased that I did. Driving can be fun and convenient, however it can be very dangerous. As people commonly say, "driving is a privilege, not a right." A driver must assume full responsibility and take precautions when behind the wheel. Since the first automobile, many regulations and laws have been passed to help create safer driving. A few of these laws include no texting and driving, a new driver must have his or her license for six months before driving other people who aren't part of his or her immediate family, and a new driver is punished more severely for driving violations. I agree with the majority of these regulations, however I feel a few aren't quite necessary. Texting while driving can be lethal and I have never nor will I ever text while driving. I agree that it should be a law to help prevent it from happening. I also agree that new drivers should be punished more severely, but to a limit. New drivers can be punished with large fines, the revoking of their licenses and may have to retake any driver’s education classes they have received and pass the road test once again. I only agree with the large fines portion. With large fines, drivers should be influenced to drive safely and properly. It truly intimidates me knowing that I can easily lose my license with a simple mistake. I do not feel that that is required in certain circumstances, such as speeding by perhaps 10 MPH. I also disagree about not being able to drive other people. It would be much more convenient to be able to drive friends, and it may even help the new driver learn to drive safely with distractions within the vehicle while that driver is still cautious and safe rather than six months later when that driver may have become overconfident and cocky in their driving capabilities. It is understandable that the additional consequences for unsafe driving will help encourage safe driving, and the restriction on who a new driver can drive will help prevent accidents early on, but as a new driver, I feel far too intimidated by the consequences and yearn for the permission to drive my friends. However, the law is the law and must be obeyed. I can only hope that in the future, safe driving can be encouraged through other means.