Most people at sixteen are psyched about getting their licences. Myself, on the other hand? I haven't even gotten my permit yet. I have a very unusual fear of driving, also known as "vehophobia." My fear of driving doesn't come from a traumatic childhood car accident or anything of that nature. As a matter of fact, this fear doesn't even come from the risk of getting into accidents. I'm not afraid of being in the car with my parents or even taxi drivers who are behind the wheel; it's myself that scares me.
Driving means you, as the driver, have complete control of the car. You make the choices, and I'm terrified of having that responsibility over others and myself. Knowing that the choices I make as a driver can save or take someone's life is terrifying. These seemingly small choices can have major effects. Plus, I'm already a naturally anxious person; this just adds to it. Of course, there are rules, lights, and signs on the street that people are supposed to follow, and I would drive safely, but there's always the risk of other drivers, like drunk drivers or those who text and drive. No matter how great of a driver I turn out to be, there's the added fear of those who don't follow driving rules or those who may be using their phone while driving. I could be doing everything right, yet things could still go completely wrong.
Maybe it sounds crazy, but I've never been interested in getting my license. Since the beginning of high school, however, I have joined a number of after-school clubs but must wait until 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. to get picked up. It's not ideal considering I'm in high school and have loads of work to do every night. This has opened my eyes a little bit, just a little, to the convenience of having a car. Ultimately, though, the fact that my friends are sixteen and haven't gotten their permits either leaves me unmotivated to get mine as well. When my sister went to the DMV to take her written driving exam, we waited for about 4 hours. That was pretty discouraging too.
Yes, this fear is irrational, considering the number of people who drive everyday. So for those who can drive, kudos to you. I wish I had that level of trust and concentration myself. I'm not fully there yet, but someday, I'll be ready to take it on.