Essay On Minimum Driving Age

The Minimum Driving Age is Fine at 16 In most states you can get your license at age 16. Many people think this is way too young, the drivers are too inexperienced and teenagers are more accident prone. But parents can’t always drive their teenagers everywhere they want to go. Teenagers are often involved in sports, drama, and other extra-curricular activities and they need a car. I do not believe the minimum driving age should be raised. A trend in recent years has shown that the amount of 16-17 year olds involved in deadly car crashes has been reduced, and 18-19 year olds involved in deadly accidents has increased. In states with Graduating License programs, the amount of 16 year olds involved in deadly accidents has gone down 16 percent. A GDL (Graduating License) can restrict teens from driving at night, with passengers, and it can make them drive with supervision for a given amount of time. This will give teens safe and quality experience behind the wheel. Since 1996, 1,348 fewer fatalities involving 16 year olds and 1,086 more fatalities involving 18 year olds have been linked to Graduating License programs. So, why would we raise the license limit to 18 or 19 when fewer 16 and 17 year olds, and more 18-19 year olds are causing fatal accidents (Roan)?
In a recent study, about 50% of teens have admitted they have fallen asleep while driving. This leads people to believe teens are unsafe behind the wheel. Teens are only 8% of the driving population, but they account for 20% of accidents involving cars (Collins and Cortez). Also, parents who are concerned about their child’s safety will argue and say that 3,500 teens were killed in 2008 alone, and car crashes are the number cause of teen death (Painter). They will also argue that fewer and fewer 16-17 year olds are getting their licenses, so we should just push up the age, right