Driving is like a rite of passage in this country, especially for teens. Nobody can describe that feeling of exaltation when you get behind the wheel on your own for the first time. As a new driver your possibilities are limitless. You can take a road trip to the coast with your friends, your parents can send you out to pick up groceries, and you can sleep in on weekday mornings because you know you won’t have to catch the bus to school.
Whether it was given to you as a 16th birthday present, or you built it up from scratch; a person’s relationship with their car is almost akin to that of family or friendship. You take care of your car and give it what it needs, and in return it works reliably for you, doing what you want it to do and taking you where you want to go. Your car doesn’t judge you, doesn’t discriminate, and doesn’t care about what else you do while you’re driving.
Your car doesn’t care how you look, with your fruit-flavored shimmery pink lip gloss or your XXL mascara. It won’t tell you you’re fat, or pimply or wearing too much makeup. Your car doesn’t care if you’re not wearing shoes, because those spike heels you wore to the prom are too uncomfortable to wear now.
Your car doesn’t care that you don’t buckle your seat belt. After all you’re only driving five minutes away from home, what’s the worst that could happen?
Your car doesn’t care if you’re going to be the next singing sensation on American Idol, or a multi-platinum rap star. It doesn’t care if you spit the maddest lyrics or belt out that high note while the radio plays your favorite song.
Your car doesn’t care that you are a dancing diva, that you can bust a move to any beat, any time, any place. It doesn’t applaud for you when you strut your stuff at the traffic light.
Your car doesn’t care that you absolutely MUST hear that song on your IPod, or that it takes you a few minutes to look for it. It doesn’t care that your stereo is hard to navigate or that you have to look away from the road to do it.
Your car doesn’t care how well you multitask, that you can read a book, finish that crossword or wrap up your homework assignment due today. It won’t be impressed that you pulled an all-nighter studying for that big exam, and that sleep is about to catch up with you.
Your car doesn’t care that your friend just texted you the biggest news: that she won a pair of Lady Gaga tickets and you’re coming with her to the concert. It doesn’t care that you just HAVE to respond with a quick “OMG LOL :D,” with your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road. It doesn’t listen when you say you can handle it because you have the fastest thumbs in the west.
Your car doesn’t care that your boss is calling to tell you off for being late to work again, or that you have to answer her RIGHT NOW otherwise you may lose your job. It doesn’t have any sympathy for you when you can’t afford Bluetooth, and have to hold the phone up to your ear.
Your car doesn’t care about the crazy parties you go to, or how well you can hold your liquor. It doesn’t mind that you drive home afterward, even though you know it’s against the law. It doesn’t respond when you tell yourself you’re still OK to drive.
Your car doesn’t care how daring you are, that you are not afraid to race your friends, play chicken, or set your own personal land speed record.
Your car doesn’t care that you juggle too many tasks, and says nothing when you put those tasks at a higher priority than your own safety.
Your car doesn’t care when a little boy chases his ball into the road, or that you are too distracted to notice him. It doesn’t warn you to look out, brake, or move out of the way.
And your car doesn’t care if you end up splattered on the pavement.
So, just who are you trying to impress?
