Driving age

1. 68

   LailaKposted 12 years ago

   Now days, teenagers are able to get their driving licenses at age 17 in most countries, however, many seem to take this opportunity for granted. In the past couple of years, most car accidents were the cause of teenage reckless driving. Should the driving age be changed for teenagers? Should society suffer because of their immature ways? What do you think? Also, remember that the teenage brain is not fully developed, which makes teenagers more prone to accidents and on-the-road distraction. So should the minimum driving age be raised a little bit?

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   1. 73

      Shadesbreathposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      In my little realm of experience, teenagers aren't really falling all over themselves to get licenses here. They're perfectly happy at home, playing video games and using Facebook etc. as social interface. I can't tell you how many people I know with kids who could get licenses at 16 here legally and yet don't have them at 18, 19 and even 20.
      
      The flip side of your argument is also when do we tell older drivers they should stop.
      
      It's a complex issue on either end and has more to do with the individual than finding some random age and imposing it on everyone. Laws are always clumsy when it comes down to individuals.

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   2. 68

      the girlsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have read the same thing regarding the brain development of children. If i remember right, they fully develop at 18.

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      1. 69

         Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yet many states try 13 year olds as adults and sentence them to life in prison. If they are old enough at 16 to be tried and sentenced to life in prison, they are old enough to get a driver's license, in my opinion. Perhaps more effective driver training should be provided and required.

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2. 60

   Moderndayslaveposted 12 years ago

   The age to get your learners permit is 16 in NY. It has been this age as far as I can remember. You have to learn at some point. If you are going to go to college or work at 18 you most likely need to transport yourself back and forth.You can't LOCK the kids away forever,so they will be "Safe",they need to enter the world and make a life for themselves. Everyone's bright ideas seem to be making society worse,leave things alone.I see plenty of adults,college educated or not whose "Brains don't seem to be fully developed".

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   1. 68

      LailaKposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I totally see your point! Quick question (not truely relating to the driving age topic): would you let your teenage son or daughter drive to his/school?

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      1. 60

         Moderndayslaveposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, I did it for the last two years of high school and went to work after school was done. Why do people want to delay the inevitable process of "Growing Up"?

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3. 89

   wildernessposted 12 years ago

   I don't see the problem with young children driving.  I'm not so old that I can't remember the first few years, and I started at 15.
   
   I seldom crossed 100 mph - only a couple of times per week.
   
   I only had 3 accidents in the first 2 years, and no one was hurt.
   
   I never did stupid things like putting 6 or 7 people in the back of a pickup unless there were too many friends to sit up front and then I wouldn't let them stand up in the back.
   
   I never over filled the interior unless we were going snow skiing, whereupon I found I could still drive (kind of) with 6 people and their ski gear in a VW bug.
   
   When it showed heavily I stayed home unless I wanted to go out and "cut cookies" in parking lots and streets or have other fun.
   
   I always slowed down in town and doubt I ever crossed 50 mph in residential areas.
   
   I took very good care of my car and always had gas in the tank.  Only one blowout from bald tires in those years although I did ruin two sets of brake drums when the pads wore down too far.  At least one headlight always worked and I (usually) used arm signals when the turn signals bulbs burned out (unless it was cold out - you can't be rolling down the windows to stick your arm out in subfreezing weather!).
   
   Of course, there is far more traffic now in most areas, but kids know this and I'm sure they are all safe drivers just as I was...

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