Kate Lewis

Kate Lewis is not like most teens. Although she is almost old enough for her driver’s license, she explains why she doesn’t plan on getting it.

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I don’t plan on getting a driver’s license. Sure, most teens can’t wait, but not me. My easiest explanation is the safety issue: Driving or riding in a car with anyone is dangerous, no matter who you are with. I don’t understand how people can be so terrified of a harmless spider, but not afraid of riding in cars. I like to ask my friends how many people they know who have been killed by a spider and then ask them how many people they know who have been killed by a car. Almost everyone knows someone who died in a car crash.

But I actually have a bigger reason for not wanting to drive: Besides eating meat, I think cars are the worst thing we can do for our planet. I am cautious when I say this since I am already picked on enough for my hippie ways. I also hate to look like I’m caught up in the whole phony “green” movement… but I really do care about the earth and the other living creatures on it.

We are living in a world with limited fossil fuels. We have the technology to create “energy efficient everything”, so I hope we start making better cars soon. Assuming that I don’t die in a car accident, I am looking forward to seeing a world of vegans with water powered cars… and then maybe I’ll get my license.