School parking lots look a bit different than they did a decade ago, where most of the vehicles filling the spaces were older Sedans and hand-me-downs; parking lots are now filled with newer SUV’s and recently released models. This difference highlights a social change and trend amongst students in high schools across the country.
“I got a Ford Escape 2022,” junior Cassidy Smiley said. “I got it from my parents because I got good grades, but I had to help pay for it eventually.”
While some students are driving newer vehicles, others point to the practical benefits that come with updated and newer safety benefits, especially for new and less experienced drivers.
“As someone who has had an older car for ten years and now having a newer car, I think the newer features are very helpful,” teacher Stacy Konnie said. “I have a son who’s doing driver’s training right now, and I think the backup camera and the sensors on the mirrors are very helpful for a new driver trying to navigate it.”
One of the top priorities as a parent should be the child’s safety, no matter how old. Increasing quality in technology has led to safer cars including features like adaptive cruise control, lane centering-assist, and automatic emergency brakes. As tools and features such as these in modernized vehicles become more popular and standard in cars, they make the driving experience safer and more secure. These features can make a significant difference, especially for inexperienced drivers.
“I know I certainly would like to have a backup camera when I first started driving,” teacher Collin Syler said. “My car today doesn’t even have that, but you know there’s some features that are distracting too, but overall, I’d say it’s a positive.”
An ever-changing economy can also play a role in this matter. While costs for new cars have continued to increase, so have the number of financial opportunities. Leasing programs and pre-owned vehicles make driving more attainable, and in many cases, parents or other family members are taking on the majority of the costs. In other circumstances, students pay for their own cars in full or partial.
“I drive a Chevrolet Trailblazer that I got from my parents on my sixteenth birthday,” junior Rachel Brodi said.
Many students and young adults alike still depend on the low costs of older vehicles due to financial inequities. Some families may even choose to get their child an aged car due to the fact that owning a car at such a young age is a huge responsibility. Some may not mind driving something older if it gets them where they want to go.
“I don’t really think having a newer car matters. I think it all depends on how you get the car,” Syler said. “I think it is more valuable if you get the car through some effort, as opposed to just having it handed to you whether or not it’s new or old.”
Beyond the financial and safety aspects, social media has proven to shape the way we live and the things we buy. These platforms constantly contain people showcasing their cool new cars, creating the desire to model after these influencers.
“I definitely think [social media] has had a lot of impact. I think a lot of people look at the trends,” Konnie said. “I know a lot of people use Facebook marketplace for cars, so they’re always looking for the best deal and most popular car.”
As the automotive industry evolves, one thing remains the same: vehicle ownership is a huge responsibility for everyone, no matter the age. One of the biggest milestones is getting those car keys, but what those keys are for and represent is no longer the same as it once was.
