Unpopular opinion: The legal driving historic period should be increased

Unpopular+opinion%3A+The+legal+driving+age+should+be+increased

The leading crusade of death among teens… car accidents. The controversy effectually raising the driving age has remained a hot topic with prophylactic experts, politicians, and drivers. Every bit the number of automobile accidents remains a constant result in today's club, Some advocate that the legal driving age will foreclose road accidents.

In many ways, I agree.  Driving has changed significantly.

In some states, drivers tin can earn their learner'due south allow when they're equally young as 14. In well-nigh European countries, the minimal driving age is 18, which results in fewer deaths and accidents. With America having millions of yearly accidents and considered i of the most dangerous countries to drive, is it ethical to continue allowing teenagers to drive and so young?

Over a decade ago, Maryland senators proposed a pecker to enhance the legal driving historic period to eighteen in lodge to reduce teen traffic deaths. This law is a three-stage licensing process where people tin can receive their let at 16 and a total unrestricted license at 18. Many disagreed with this bill, saying that drivers wouldn't be whatever more prepared at eighteen compared to being 16.

Many teens condemn the idea of having to wait fifty-fifty longer to begin driving. They enjoy the freedom and flexibility it gives them. Having the ability to drive allows them to manage their schedules better and non rely on a family members to drive them around.

However, teens tend to underestimate the dangers of driving and brand more reckless decisions due to having underdeveloped brains.

Distracted Driving

Teens are much more prone to distracted driving. From playing music likewise loud, having distractive passengers, drinking, and texting, 16- yr-olds are more than susceptible to beingness in an accident due to mistakes made within the vehicle.

For example, teenagers are addicted to their phones. According to a survey done by the AAFP, ane in three U.South teens text while driving.  This beliefs is typically associated with other behaviors such as drunk driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and other forms of distracted driving. Although, it is estimated that the actual number of teenagers who text and drive is much higher.

Drinking and driving among teens is very common, despite drinking being illegal for people under 21. In 2019, 24% of drivers ages xv-20 were killed in a automobile accident after drinking. Teenagers' lack of driving experience along with drinking and taking drugs heightens the adventure for crashes.

Thrill of Reckless Driving

In add-on to distracted driving, teens tend to lack good decision making when it comes to driving. Adolescents are more likely to have risks and put themselves in uncertain situations . This is attributed to teens not beingness finished developing and immaturity. The responsibility of driving a machine combined with underdeveloped brains allows for more than fatal accidents.

During teenage years, the office of the brain that controls emotion develops faster than the part that controls impulses . This accounts for more risk-taking behaviors amongst adolescents like speeding, swerving, and driving while distracted. At the age of xviii, a teenagers encephalon is significantly more adult which contributes to less road accidents.

At Linganore High Schoolhouse, in that location take been a total of four car accidents involving students this year. 1 of those accidents resulted in medical attending. Ted Mostoller, Linganores student resource officer, agreed that teens' inexperience in driving results in more accidents. Younger drivers are less prepared for things such as bad weather, road rage, and traffic.

Developing Brains

While adolescents are at higher risks of making reckless decisions while driving due to immaturity, many teens in today'south society are too emotionally unstable to be operating a vehicle. The emotional evolution in teens suggests that they're likely non prepared to safely drive a vehicle at xvi without supervision.

Despite teens being in their prime physical health, many suffer from suicidal behaviors and substance abuse. These characteristics combined with independently operating a vehicle present more risk on the road.

In 2017, it was reported that 17% of teens in grades ix-12 thought seriously well-nigh attempting suicide, and 2.iv% of teens made a suicide attempt resulting in medical attending. This is the age where most people begin driving. If such a high number of teens are experiencing suicidal thoughts, giving children the responsibleness of doing something as unsafe as driving isn't logical. Although, past the fourth dimension teens graduate loftier school, their mental wellness dramatically improves making it much safer to independently operate a car.

Reduce Route Accidents

In 2019, nearly 2,400 teens were treated for motor vehicle crashes and every twenty-four hours, virtually 7 teens die from car accidents. Teen drivers are three times more than likely to be in a fatal blow compared to people over the age of 20. Inexperience, bad critical conclusion making, alcohol and substance corruption are all factors that put teens at risk.

Inexperienced drivers are unavoidable since everyone has to start somewhere. Although, in that location are significant differences in the brain of an average sixteen year old compared to an 18 year old driver. Raising the legal driving age to 18 could help lower the overall rate of fatal crashes and allow teens more than time to mature before taking responsibility for driving. Regardless if you lot think the driving age should be increased or stay the same, teens definitely need more guidance before receiving their license.