For many teenagers, learning to drive is an important rite of passage into adulthood; a driver’s license is a symbol of independence, competence, and maturity. However, this perceived importance can influence some teens, who may be unprepared to drive, to learn out of social pressure or expectation, not actual desire.
Teenagers who view driving more as a sign of competence instead of a genuinely desirable asset may
take the long learning process less seriously, which can lead to unsafe driving habits in the long term.
Although they could still be motivated, the lengthy time requirements 30 hours for just he online course may be seen as an inconvenience. Teens may just want to get the training over with instead of taking a genuine interest in learning a beneficial skill. This situation can produce drivers who are unprepared for
the road beyond tests and driving classes. “Just because they can, doesn’t mean this is the right time for
them,” said Deirdre Narcisse, a clinical psychologist at Montclair State University, in the article
“Teens Don’t Have Interest in Driving Anymore and That’s OK” by Parents. As teens try to gain more confidence and establish a new identity, they will inevitably try to gain control over their own circumstances.
Learning to drive is one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about independence, but in reality, does not offer much beyond confidence for those who only
want it for such. There are many alternatives for students who want some of the benefits of driving but are confident enough to get behind the wheel or simply want to work on more important things. For people who want cheap transportation, buses are convenient, cheap, and widely available and can take people to work, school, or to places to hang out with friends. Walking, biking, and other similar methods of transportation can also work well in certain circumstances. Independence itself is a very broad spectrum that goes beyond driving. Focusing on education, life skills, or personal development all help lead to independence.
Not having the confidence or the ability to drive as a teen does not suggest incompetence. Biologically, the brain is still developing during the teenage years. The frontal lobe, which is associated with executive functions such as multitasking, impulse control, and working memory, is not fully developed until adulthood. The frontal lobe is “the most important for driver functions… Lack of development can explain an increased desire to take risks, and
the inability to perform complex maneuvers,” according to the article “Teen Brain Development– The Frontal Lobe of the Brain is Essential for Driving” by GJEL Accident Attorneys.
Although driving will be important in the majority of our futures, there are many valid alternative skills to develop in the present that may prove more helpful than a driver’s license and serve as effective transportation.