When it comes to mode of transportation, automobiles are one of the most popular ways for people to get around. They give people a lot of personal freedom as they can travel anywhere on their own without having to rely on others for transportation, especially with families. However, as with any type of technology there are drawbacks and pitfalls to owning an automobile.
While steam and electrically powered vehicles were being developed in the late 1700s and early 1800s, it wasn’t until Karl Benz invented the first gas powered car in 1885 that the automobile started to really take off. It was then that engineers and businessmen began creating vehicles that would appeal to a wider consumer base.
Edouard Delamare-Deboutteville and Leon Malandin of France installed an internal combustion engine on a bicycle, but it was destroyed in a crash during the vehicle’s first test run. It wouldn’t be until Henry Ford came along and created the assembly line that automobile production became faster and less expensive, making them more affordable to the general public.
One of the most important reasons to own a vehicle is for the safety of your family. When you drive your own vehicle, you have control over the maintenance, speed, and driving style of the car. This gives you a sense of security that other drivers may not be able to provide when relying on public transport or friends with cars. The convenience of having your own vehicle also allows you to juggle the commitments of work, family, and home in a more seamless manner.