Legal Driving Age

The ability to drive a vehicle is a very dangerous privilege that must be taken seriously at all times. Many teenagers patiently await the time when they can drive. Being able to go places without their parents driving them is something all teenagers dream of. Although for some, the thought of teenagers driving creates an uneasy feeling. The legal teenage driving age has always been a controversial topic, there are several who support raising the legal age, but there are also ones that are against raising the age. In order to form an opinion, one must carefully consider: the maturity of teens, the fact that teens need to gain experience driving, the effects of not having a license will have on teens, the restrictions placed on new drivers,
This is a factor that many use that are in favor of raising the legal driving age. While driving, “the brain’s frontal lobe” is responsible for many decisions made; but research has shown that this part of the brain does not fully develop until the one is in their 20s (Waiters 1). In addition to not having a fully developed frontal lobe, the teenage mind seeks out risk, so they are more likely to try dangerous things while driving (Gregory 2). Many teenagers drive with their friends, and sometimes those friends cause distractions to the young driver, and may even attempt to convince them to do dangerous things such as drinking and driving, or speeding. This leads to many problems because the teenage brain is very susceptible “to distractions and peer pressure” (2). However, the subject of maturity is also an acceptable argument for those who are against raising the legal driving age. Brent Johnston, a driver's education teacher, gives the argument that issues from teen driving “‘are not about age and maturity as much as they are about making good choices and demonstrating exceptional behavior…’” (2). Maturity can be a valid reason to raise the legal driving age, but can also be a reason to leave the legal driving age where it
Teenagers are sometimes expected to be perfect at driving, just like drivers who have been driving for several years. If the driving age was raised, there would be more time for student drivers to participate in driver’s education programs (Waites 1). A member of the AA, Eduman King, believes that it is more important to give the drivers more exceptional training, rather than “‘giving them a licence and restricting them’” ( Settle, and Campsie 2). However, if the driving age is raised then there will be “inexperienced 17-year-olds instead of inexperienced 16-year-olds behind the wheel” (Pruitt 2). This will happen because if the age is raised, the 17 year olds will not have a chance to practice, making them just as unsafe as new 16 year olds would be on the road. In the article “Don’t Raise Driving Age” it mentions that driving is similar to “any teen privilege. If we could keep them all locked up until they turn 18, everyone would be safer” (1). Driving is similar to every other new task a teenager takes on; they will be a risk to others until they learn and get the practice. This practice will make the teens be able to make the right decisions that are practically now second nature to drivers that have been driving for a long time. The Regional director of the