Well I think you are 19 and need to make your own decisions now. I can understand their concern, but after all, providing wings as well as shelter is part of being a good parent. The duty of a parent is to provide a safe flight for their kids, not keep them from any risk.
I didn’t have a car as a freshman, but did the other years. I was 200 miles away and freshman year was a major hassle just for supplies and occasional entertainment. Coming home without a car required either flying which was a major expense, or an 8 hour bus ride.
Some campuses don’t want cars but then have good transportation systems where a car is really not necessary. Others though are a major pain without transportation. I would rather have my daughter in her own car than standing on the street waiting for a bus. You just have to be super careful in parking lots these days. But a cell phone and a car-pretty basic these days.