Argumentative Essay: Should The Driving Age Be Lowered?

Driving can end lives in mere seconds, don’t we want what is safer for everyone? Even though teens are more likely to be distracted while driving I believe that the Maryland state government should consider changing the current driving age, whether it be raised or lowered because of the following reasons. On the one hand teens have accelerative impulses which can cause them to be unsafe on the road. On the other hand teens can learn responsibility from learning to drive at an earlier age with adult supervision. With getting experience earlier rather than later teens can be prepared to take on the road alone when they are of age. Teens are not completely matured mentally as an 18 year old would be. 16 year olds can always be prepared to
The driving age can be considered for being lowered because teens have more access than ever to resources to make them safe drivers as well as having an extending graduated license period. “While many feel that 16 is too young for teenagers to be driving due to immaturity or lack of experience, driving at a young age can increase responsibility”"Pro's and con's to driving at the age of 16(. how.”) Teens with a driver's license must learn quickly to look out for their own safety, as well as those around them. Whether they have their own car or borrow the family car, teens must also learn to be responsible for its care or face the consequences associated with driving dangerously. While driving at age 16 is considered a rite of passage, teens must know that their privilege to drive can easily be taken away by parents or law enforcement for unsafe driving. Driving at a younger age, teens have better vision than adults and faster reactions times
”Reliable data on traffic accidents and fatalities consistently show a spike between the ages of 16 and 18. Teens do not possess the focus required to handle an automobile. Teens are also easily distracted and tend to see driving as a social exercise. Those two years from 16 to 18 would allow for a teens to reach a maturity level necessary for safely operating a motor vehicle(reference).” Teens get easily distracted by technology, passengers, music, etc while driving and need to know how to focus on the road instead of what is happening in the back seat. Also the youth in the U.S. needs to get more exercise as it is the fattest country in the world. With slightly over 60% of teens being overweight it is a major issue. Teens should get the exercise they need by walking or biking to closer locations instead of using a car. ”There’s no denying that today’s kids are dealing with weight issues. 1 in 3 Americans, for example, are overweight right now and the percentage keeps increasing. By raising the driving age 2 years, older teens may be encouraged to exercise more and learn healthier habits since the car isn’t available to them (vision).” Teens have acceralitive impulses that can cause them to drive unsafely and irresponsibly. 16 year olds are also not mature enough to drive alone because a 16 year old’s brain is not as