By Loren Mattern
Senior Hope Banghart stated, “I love having my license. I can do more activities than I used to because I don’t have to rely on my parents for a ride.”
A mixture of both seniors and juniors say they enjoy having their driver’s license. Job opportunities can be taken advantage of or extra curricular activities explored. As Banghart said, with her license comes less dependency on her parents. Junior Jon Eberly mentioned that having a license “makes everything more convenient. Especially going to work.” Senior John White shared, “If I never got my license, then I wouldn’t be able to drive from Culver to Plymouth everyday for school.” Students listed several advantages that correspond with receiving a driver’s license. These mainly consisted of after school activities being accessible without relying on parents for transportation. Also, some have jobs, such as Eberly or Senior Jordan Kelly. Kelly stated, “I believe it is very convenient. I can go to school without needing a ride. I can also go to work or even a friend’s house.”
Before having the freedom to drive wherever, whenever, a driver’s test is required. Senior Taylor Fulton thought that the driving portion was not too difficult, he’d stated “its just to show your skills everyone can make a left turn and switch lanes, the only hard part was parallel [parking], but it wasn’t too bad because I practiced in drivers ed.” Sharing what not to do, Senior Kristen McNeal said, “I made a silly error in the beginning. Just don’t pull out in front of someone!” Senior Kayla Ferrell mentioned she didn’t think the driving test was difficult at all. “I was worried about the test, but I think everyone is always going to be even a little bit nervous,” Ferrell further explained.
PHS requires all students to have a sticker in their windshield to verify the car is supposed to be in the school’s parking lot. Picture by Taylor Drake
Several PHS students have recommended different ways to prepare for the driver’s test. “Studying and practice,” was Banghart’s short message for future drivers. Kelly recommended, “Go online and take the practice tests.” The Hoosier Driving Academy website offers a pdf of the Indiana Driver’s Manual. A printed version is also available at any Bureau of Motor Vehicles Branch. McNeal insisted that potential drivers should “just study the book” if needed.
Drivers at PHS shared their opinions on the “do not text and drive” laws. Eberly stated, “Just don’t. It’s not worth it.” McNeal went into depth explaining her opinion, “I believe it is a good thing. I am too scared to text and drive, so I don’t do it. I think the commercials that they have, showing what can potentially happen when texting and driving really work! I yell at the people that do it [text and drive].”
Students also explained their beliefs on the “click it or ticket” law. McNeal revealed an opinion on this driving safety law. She said, “I believe everyone should wear seat belts.” Thinking of the consequences of not following the law, she also stated, “An accident can happen in a split second, which then can lead you to flying out the window.” Banghart shares the idea that wearing a seat belt is “very smart because seat belts can save your life.”
Once getting a license, students take different routes to get a car. Senior Nadia Baca stated, “My dad bought a new car for himself and I got his old car.” While Eberly replied, “I have my own vehicle. My mom sold her old one to me for a discounted price.” McNeal goes in depth describing the circumstances of her car, “I do have my own vehicle. I did purchase it with my own money. My parents had to help me a little bit with the down payment, but I paid them back. Now I get the bill every two weeks, plus insurance at the end of the month.”
Also, one’s circumstances can depict whether or not they pay for gas. Someone such as Kayla Ferrell, gets gas money from her parents. “Mostly my parents pay for it [gas]. I just got a job so that I could buy clothes and hang out with my friends,” she stated. On the other hand Jon Eberly said, “I pay for everything. I had a job before I got my permit so I could save up for a car if I needed to.”
Each driver at PHS is different. These differences consist of: ways to study, opinions on laws, owning vehicles, or even whether or not they needed to get a job to pay for gas. Another is whether the student drives to school or rides the bus. Senior Anna Piazza stated, “It is more convenient and takes less of your time [to drive to school].”John White replied that he has “to drive to school to be able to go to PHS.” Each person has a different path they take on his/her way to operating their own vehicle at PHS.