As I approach my first time taking driver’s training, I think about how little experience I have going into it. I feel unprepared and I get easily distracted. This makes me wonder, “At 16 is it really safe for me to be driving?” I imagine this is a question many teens ask themselves. That’s when I thought of a way to find an answer. Research it. The point being to prove that, the minimum age that drivers can receive their license should be raised to 18 because, it gives their brains time to mature, drivers could gain experience, and the responsibility would come when they are used to being accountable.
First, research has found that the brain of a 16-year-old is not quite mature enough to drive safely. “The part of the brain that weighs risks and controls impulsive behavior isn't fully developed until about age 25, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sixteen-year-olds are far worse drivers than 17-, 18- or 19-year-olds, statistics show” (O'Donnell). Some states, like New Jersey, have restricted 16-year-olds from being granted full driver's licenses; as a result they have one of the lowest teen driver fatality rates in the USA (O’Donnell).
Second, teens have no experience driving a vehicle. Many states have tried to remedy this by implementing graduated licensing programs. Such …show more content…
Parents are concerned about the safety of their young drivers. For that reason a change needs to be made. Parents need to support movements in favor of rising the driving age and getting better student driver education. In order for the graduated licensing programs to make a difference, more teens need to enroll in them. Teens that have completed the programs are much safer drivers and are more confident in the abilities. Parents feel better when they know their child is experienced and has the knowledge to keep him safe. More experienced young drivers make the roads safer for