Hot Wheels

Learning to drive is a milestone, one that speaks of independence with a tinge of excitement in the air, yet it’s laden with a lot of responsibility. My journey to obtain a driver’s license was not like everybody else’s, and such lessons learned barely reach beyond the driver’s seat. It was a cold, brisk autumn morning, and I remember my hands on the steering wheel with white knuckles, as I went towards my first ever highway experience with my instructor. Although nervous, I told myself he was an experienced instructor and would get me through it. Merging onto the busy highway, though, I received quite unexpected advice: “You’re going too slow! Speed up, twenty miles over the limit. I was taken aback, and my glance at the speedometer showed the needle hovering at a safe 55 mph. The thought of pushing it to 75 in a 55 mph zone twisted my stomach. He insisted, yet a wave of unease had me rooted in place. My mind was racing faster than the cars that surrounded me in that instant. Which was safer: trusting my instructor, or listening to my instincts and hearing my mom’s voice in my head, “Always follow the law and stay cautious”? Self-evident, yet along came an authority figure and obscured the obvious choice. I politely declined, continuing at a steady pace and explaining that I wasn’t comfortable going over the speed limit. My instructor looked frustrated but then finally sighed and said, “Fine, suit yourself.” We finished the lesson without incident, but the experience left a lasting impression on me. From this experience, I finally came to know the values of self-sufficiency and thinking properly on your feet. When one student-drives, there is the incessant chant by the instructor-that they know best. What, when instructions run counter to rules of the highway? It took a fraction of that second for a decision that will allow one to temper directions with personal assessment that safety would not be overridden under stress and duress. This was a lesson in more than just driving; it was a life lesson in understanding the complicated dynamics of authority and responsibility. The ability to question, reason out, and act upon what feels right has become one of my biggest tools, not only when driving but also in daily life. For example, attending high school brought along many situations where one needed to choose whether to move along with the herd or act upon one’s values. The courage that I found on the highway gave me confidence to stand up for what I believe in, even when it faces resistance. The second thing this incident has taught me is the importance of preparation. We learned the rules of the road-from speed limits to merging etiquette-in my Driver’s Ed classes. Internalizing those rules proved critical when my instructor’s advice went against them. A strong knowledge foundation helped me to stand my ground and avoid a potentially hazardous situation. More broadly speaking, preparation builds confidence. Whether it’s studying for a difficult exam or preparing for a job interview, knowing the basics readies you for unexpected challenges. Those lessons from that fateful day further extend into how I will look at responsibility. Sharing the road means being one among others, and each of our decisions may affect somebody else’s life. That is a sobering thought; it also serves to keep me always trying to be as cautious and attentive as possible. The road is one place shared just like the communities we come from, and being a responsible participant matters a lot. This mindset has translated into my life off the bike well. A high school student getting ready for college, I started to look in and think more critically about what kind of person I would want to be: while independence is great, it is still coupled with accountability. More to the point, whether it is budgeting my own money or helping with tutoring for students in Ukraine-recently undertaken-the guiding principle of shared responsibility guides my actions. Just as I owe it to fellow drivers to safely operate my vehicle, so, too, I owe it to those around me to do my part for a shared environment. And finally, this journey has made me truly appreciate the support systems in my life. My mom’s counsel, prudent and down-to-earth, has been an anchor during times of fogginess. Driving is essentially a solo affair, but behind every driver, there is a network of people teaching, encouraging, and guiding us. It helps put in perspective the need to respect others’ views while building one’s self-esteem to arrive at independent decisions. As I get ready to enter college and face new challenges, I carry with me the lessons of my first highway drive. Life is like the road-unpredictable. There will be times when following others seems easier than listening to your voice, and times when preparation and responsibility make all the difference. What driving has taught me, though, is this: true independence isn’t about doing it all alone. It’s about knowing when to rely on yourself, when to seek advice, and when to trust the principles that guide you. Looking back, I am grateful for that uncomfortable encounter with my driving instructor. It pushed me to think critically, trust my instincts, and put safety above everything else. The road ahead is long and winding, but armed with these lessons, I feel ready to navigate it responsibly and confidently.