For most Americans, 16th birthdays are synonymous with getting a driver’s license. It is a monumental day for most teens, however many believe that teens are too careless to drive. While teens may seem more reckless and irresponsible, they only account for about 12 percent of all fatal crashes per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The minimum driving age should not be raised because fatal crashes involving teens are steadily decreasing due to tougher restricted license laws and teens can receive valuable experience at a younger age. The number of teens involved in fatal crashes is steadily decreasing. Tougher restrictions on licensing have decreased the number of teens involved in fatal crashes by 27 percent from
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This experience could not be gained in any other way. Although teens may drive at 15 with a guardian, there is nothing like driving alone that truly allows teens to learn. Furthermore, the fact that the amount of 18-year old drivers involved in fatal crashes has increased due to teens waiting until they are 18 to get their license shows that a lack of experience can be fatal. Dr. Masten says that in order to learn to drive one must expose themselves to crash risk to gain experience. He also suggested that teens that are going through these programs are not getting as much practical experience when they are accompanied by “co-drivers”. Teens must know how to be responsible and “self-regulate” on their own. Teens need experience in order to learn, and raising the minimum driving age prevents teens from getting much needed experience at a younger age. Those who support raising the minimum driving age may argue that teens are reckless and irresponsible. However, teens only account for about 12 percent. In fact, drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 account for nearly 20 percent of all fatal crashes, the most of any age group. The stereotype that all teens are careless and inattentive is unfair and does not look at all of the facts. Teens are all viewed as drivers who constantly use their phones while driving, however nearly every age group has drivers who use their phones. Teens may be
This experience could not be gained in any other way. Although teens may drive at 15 with a guardian, there is nothing like driving alone that truly allows teens to learn. Furthermore, the fact that the amount of 18-year old drivers involved in fatal crashes has increased due to teens waiting until they are 18 to get their license shows that a lack of experience can be fatal. Dr. Masten says that in order to learn to drive one must expose themselves to crash risk to gain experience. He also suggested that teens that are going through these programs are not getting as much practical experience when they are accompanied by “co-drivers”. Teens must know how to be responsible and “self-regulate” on their own. Teens need experience in order to learn, and raising the minimum driving age prevents teens from getting much needed experience at a younger age. Those who support raising the minimum driving age may argue that teens are reckless and irresponsible. However, teens only account for about 12 percent. In fact, drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 account for nearly 20 percent of all fatal crashes, the most of any age group. The stereotype that all teens are careless and inattentive is unfair and does not look at all of the facts. Teens are all viewed as drivers who constantly use their phones while driving, however nearly every age group has drivers who use their phones. Teens may be