by Jack Merridew

Created on: June 11, 2009   Last Updated: May 31, 2011

Dashing cuts of hail. 20 minutes late. It is as dark as an ignored pocket of outer space. Rain begins to pelt, lessening the pain, but soaking me throughout. I have my legs underneath me, sending constant reminders to my brain: "I am in pain, let me rest.". I start to imagine the inside of even the most wretched car; even that, at the time, seemed ideal.

That was the enormity of walking as I did. Towing grocery bags upon my arms, as a car would utilize a trunk; walking sometimes miles, as cars dashed by with the harsh, disparaging words of their owners. Walking to work exhausted, as if I had just finished my laborious day. Even police, as gentle and impartial as they were are, eyed me closely, wondering if there were a nefarious reason for my pacing along the highway. That is what leads me to my argument: driving is an important fact of life.

Let's review the positive factors in living a automobile-free lifestyle:

1st: Health. It can burn calories and lead to a healthier heart and body weight.

2nd: Savings. It can save an ample amount of money on gasoline, insurance, and pesky DMV procedures.

While certainly these are amazing benefits, said things cannot outweigh the negative aspects of life without a car:

1st: Distance. The average walking speed of a human being is 3.5 mph, while a car can legally drive up around 65-70 mph on freeways.

2nd: Weather. People are not equipped with windshields or their wipers, or with high-powered headlights. Weather in some places can be a nightmare for cars, imagine the fate of the person having to travel on foot.

3rd.: Endurance. All the muscles in our bodies cannot match the force of a gas-combustion engine by a long shot. Maintaining our force is difficult; compared to a car, which relies on it's radiator, oil, and other powerful systems for it's endurance.

4th: Cargo load. In my life I have managed to carry four grocery bags on each arm for perhaps a mile, sore and battered at the end. A car would make short work of those groceries, and many more.

And there are, I'm sure many pros and cons I have not mentioned.

In conclusion, let me end with a warning: keep your vehicle. If your lifestyle allows, walk to work sometimes; or, run the dog and ride your bike. Exercise. Earn more money on Helium to make your car payments! Buy a cheap, point A to point B car for when you need it. But do not abandon your car, it would be foolish. 

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