Gas is very expensive and tends to drain very fast, especially on long adventures. The debate that stands is when catching a ride from your friends, should you provide gas money to them?
Issue
Friend groups come in different ages and each person lives in a different situation. When someone receives a license, they are usually stuck giving others rides to many places, and this could be for various reasons. Some of these individuals, however, ask for rides consistently, and they may live in separate places that add lots of extra time to your commute. People tend to wonder whether or not you should be paying for the gas that the driver is using when giving you a ride.
Reasons people need to catch rides
There are a couple different reasons why people need rides from their friends. Some simply are not old enough, so they do not have a license to take themselves to separate places. They also may not be able to get a ride from their parents if, for example, they are busy working. Others may not be able to pay for the necessary requirements to receive your license or are delayed in taking their test. Others may not have a car or share one with their parents that they are unable to use at certain times.
Stance
According to AAA , the national average for gas prices is $3.063, and New Jersey’s average is $2.894. Gas prices definitely do add up, especially in certain circumstances. Sometimes, depending on where people live, it can take over an hour to drop everyone off at their homes. As you could imagine, this takes a lot of gas. Especially if you do this continuously, lots of your money that you spend on gas will go to simply giving your friends a ride home. I believe that if you offer to give someone a ride home or if you are all coming from and arriving at the same place that isn’t too far, they should not have to give you money. However, if someone asks you consistently for rides or if you are going on a far drive, you should receive gas money from your friends. This is because of the cost of the gas used on these drives. It will help significantly if your friends pitch in so that you do not have to pay as much.
Overall, many individuals seem to believe that gas money is necessary when giving their friends a ride. Oliver Majernik from Colonia High School stated that “I think people should give gas money no matter what. This is because it’s expensive as a teenager and I only work four hours a week. I am not your mother.” Cierra Bublick from Colonia High School also believes that “People should pay you when giving them a ride. But if you’re my neighbor and on the way that’s different, but if I have to go out of my way then you should pay me.”
Solution
To solve this issue, as passengers, we should pay our drivers some money when it is necessary. Because the driver is doing us a favor, it’s a courtesy to pay them. Even if you are unable to pay them all the time, paying them whatever you can will help greatly.
