- Published: November 15, 2021
- Updated: November 15, 2021
- University / College: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Language: English
- Downloads: 34
The legal driving age is a hot debate in United States. Currently, the legal driving age is set to be 18 years. Arguments are that the age should be raised to 18 years to reduce the number of accidents in the roads. There are people who support this argument while others still insist that the driving age should be left to be 16 years. This research paper will evaluate reasons why the driving age should be raised to 18 years.
Research has shown that the highest percentage of accidents is caused by teenage aged between the age of 16 and 18 years. This is because these youths are not experienced. They also engage in dangerous driving activities such as texting. Research has also shown that these youths are at an age when they have just started using drugs such as alcohol. Since they are not used to the drugs, chances are that these teens are likely to cause accidents. These youths are the future generation and should be taken care of by rising the driving age.
People aged 16 years are incited to please their peers. As a result, they engage in dangerous driving whereby they test their driving skills. This involves over speeding, which is very dangerous. When with vehicles, they are tempted to give their friends who are not familiar with driving regulations. This increases the risks of causing accidents.
However, there is advantage in allowing the driving age to be 16 years. This is because the teens are still under the control of their parents hence gain driving experience with control from their parents. Research has shown that all new drivers regardless of age have greater chances of causing accidents. Allowing the driving age to be 16 means that children gain experience at early ages hence are not likely to cause accidents at maturity.
Even though increasing the driving age to 18 cannot reduce the accidents in United States significantly, it is of great importance in that many youths will be saved from road accidents. There are few advantages associated with 16 years as driving age. It is therefore important that driving age be raised to 18 years.
