Page 65 - January Phonebox Magazine 2012

Our Generation...
Local girl Joely Whild’s column continues in the Phonebox Magazine this month.
Talkin’bout
Driving us off the roaD
After blissfully passing my driving test earlier this year, the excitement was short-lived
when I realised the true expense of driving. Having totaled up the cost of learning to drive with buying a car and insuring it, let alone extras such as petrol and tax, it became clear without sufficient support young people, like myself, would struggle. It led me to question the factors of the ever increasing cost of driving and whether I believed these prices are justified.
It seems insurance is the largest economic hurdle for teenagers. I have overheard endless complaints from my peers at the extortionate prices they have been quoted; the average being around £3,000. Not only this, I have also witnessed the large come down felt by those who have passed their test but, alas, can still not afford to drive. However, it could be argued that insurance companies are only taking necessary precautions. Statistically, young drivers are
over twice as likely to be involved in fatal traffic crashes than the rest of the population. Males in particular feel targeted by insurance companies, yet, drinking and driving predominantly occurs among young men aged 17-29. But should all teenagers be categorised in this way? A possible alternative could be to standardise the price of insurance for the young age group, at an affordable price. And only if an individual abuses this, for example, by competitive driving – which is usually the cause of collisions among young drivers – only then should their insurance quotes be raised.
Nevertheless, some young people won’t even reach the stage where they have to worry about insurance issues. This is simply because they cannot afford to drive. Teenagers who come from low income families are unlikely to have the financial support of those whose parents are in a higher earning bracket. Although those who go into full time work may have more money available to put towards driving, those young people who don’t because they attend sixth form or college, will more than likely find it hard to gain this invaluable skill. It seems that an increasing number of young people are going off to university without being able to drive. To some this may not seem a great issue, but leaving university with a debt of thousands hardly leaves any spare cash to learn to drive. Yet, on the other hand, environmentally this rise in price can be viewed as positive. Young people are more likely to use public transport which not only works out more economical for the individuals but has less damage to the environment. With concerns that fuel material won’t last indefinitely, events which are taking place now with regards to driving may be good preparation for a time when public transport or even other forms of transport are the first option.
While, personally, I still fail to see why the price of driving has seemed to have risen to such unaffordable extents, I can recognise why there has had to be an increase. Environmental factors play a large role with regards to fuelling a car. Not only should we as a country be doing more to reduce our carbon footstep but also we are heavily reliant on limited resources. Public transport is arguably more environmental and economical, and perhaps we as the future may have to embrace these forms of travel. Nevertheless, even though, through factors stated above, I can understand why petrol and therefore driving lesson prices are so high, I still don’t believe insurance prices are justified. Individuals should not be classed as high risk unless they prove themselves to be, especially when the price of everything else surrounding driving is continuously increasing. From my own observations it is clear more and more young people are being put off driving and its expense.
Charlesberry Kennels & Cattery Sherington Rd, Sherington Bridge, Newport Pagnell MK16 9JA email@theKennels.com
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Phonebox Magazine 65