2008 Woodie Awards
Is carpooling sensible for KCC students?
Point-Counterpoint
Tem Abraha
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Carpooling is the right thing to do
There are many students who drive to Kirkawood and you may notice, as I often do, that many students drive alone. Just watch those cars fly by on campus and you'll certainly see one person to a car and plenty of empty seats.
With rising gas prices and an environmental crisis looming over us, isn't it time we took carpooling and public transportation seriously?
I think more students should organize carpools with their classmates. It is something many people could benefit from.
Relying on others for rides may not sound like an attractive idea for some but many commuters know very well how tedious driving can be and how stressful traffic can get. Sharing rides with others can be a big relief.
The congested traffic on Kirkwood Boulevard and the limited parking spaces on campus can be attributed to the fact that many students drive alone.
With students sharing rides to and from class we could easily reduce these problems.
And by sharing rides there is also an opportunity to get to know people and build social connections. Having those seats full may also bring ease to the confining and socially disconnected space of the automobile and encourage safe driving.
Students on a tight budget would enjoy savings on gasoline expenses since they would only have to fill their tank half as often.
And for those of you who are environmentally conscious individuals, the reasons to share rides are obvious. You'll be reducing your fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, the cause of air pollution and global warming.
So gather your friends, ask your classmates if they live anywhere near you and drive one another to class.
There are many students who drive to Kirkawood and you may notice, as I often do, that many students drive alone. Just watch those cars fly by on campus and you'll certainly see one person to a car and plenty of empty seats.
With rising gas prices and an environmental crisis looming over us, isn't it time we took carpooling and public transportation seriously?
I think more students should organize carpools with their classmates. It is something many people could benefit from.
Relying on others for rides may not sound like an attractive idea for some but many commuters know very well how tedious driving can be and how stressful traffic can get. Sharing rides with others can be a big relief.
The congested traffic on Kirkwood Boulevard and the limited parking spaces on campus can be attributed to the fact that many students drive alone.
With students sharing rides to and from class we could easily reduce these problems.
And by sharing rides there is also an opportunity to get to know people and build social connections. Having those seats full may also bring ease to the confining and socially disconnected space of the automobile and encourage safe driving.
Students on a tight budget would enjoy savings on gasoline expenses since they would only have to fill their tank half as often.
And for those of you who are environmentally conscious individuals, the reasons to share rides are obvious. You'll be reducing your fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, the cause of air pollution and global warming.
So gather your friends, ask your classmates if they live anywhere near you and drive one another to class.
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