How Early Do Students Start Driving?

Story by Alex Timmerman »

Many kids at Eudora High School know how to drive, and some learned sooner than others. Many may drive around just for fun, some may drive around because it’s easier for their family. Everyone has their own reason. Sophomore Matthew Reding, who started to learn how to drive at age 14, explains why he learned.

“I like driving,” Reding said. “I live out in the country and it makes it easier for me and my parents if I could drive.”

He, like most students in EHS, enjoys being in front of the wheel. Another student who enjoys the privilege of driving is Sophomore Brant Miller, who drives around regularly.

“I enjoy driving around because it creates convenience for my friends and I to hang out and get around. I drive solely for school or school related activities and the only time I don’t, is to drive family around,“ Miller says. “I started driving around with a parent at 15, then I started driving independently at 16.”

Many EHS students enjoy the freedom that driving gives them. Sophomore Cail McKee enjoys driving, but also explains why it’s important for him to know how to drive.

“[I drive around] to get to school because my mom and dad basically work” says McKee, who started driving at 15.

But, that of course, doesn’t mean everyone does. Some students have chosen to postpone learning to drive entirely. Some students did decide to learn, but ended up not liking it that much. Sophomore Logan Grauberger is one who does not enjoy being behind the wheel as much as others.

“It’s just really stressful,” Grauberger said. “I’m a very cautious person.”

Driving is a huge responsibility. Caution is always needed, and your attention needs to be focused on the road. Teachers, of course, have their own opinion on what age students should be driving. Mr. Lauxman thinks a good age that students should be freely driving on the road would be 16.

“I think as long as they pay attention and try, driving shouldn’t be a big issue,” Lauxman said. “Distractions are the big issue, people are going to speed and have accidents.”

He then explained what shouldn’t be acceptable on the road.

“Staring at your phone while driving – that’s going to be an issue.”