Driving Age Argument Essay
Driving is an activity and privilege that is enjoyed by many worldwide; in 2016, there were over 190,000 licensed drivers in the United States, a majority of which were between the ages of 20 and under and 40.
Over the past few years, however, the issue of the age at which one can learn to drive legally in the United States has been under debate; currently, at least at the time this paper was written, most states allow for drivers who are a minimum 15 years and 6 months of age to apply for a drivers permit; some argue that this is far too young and that the legal driving age should be raised to 18, while others argue that raising the driving age would only do more harm than good and that the current driving age should remain unchanged. In …show more content…
My argument for not changing the current driving age is based upon three points: the varying mobility needs of each individual person and family and how the driving age affects them, how driving can teach responsibility and the opportunities it provides to those of driving age, and how instruction, practice, and experience makes a good driver, not age. Two of the most common arguments for raising the driving age are that teenagers are too immature, irresponsible, and reckless to be driving and that teen driving is dangerous and deadly. However, provided that sufficient thought is given, the basis of both arguments crumbles rather quickly. Therefore, it is my opinion that the current driving age of 16 in the United States should not be raised to 18, but should remain unchanged.
Over the past few years, however, the issue of the age at which one can learn to drive legally in the United States has been under debate; currently, at least at the time this paper was written, most states allow for drivers who are a minimum 15 years and 6 months of age to apply for a drivers permit; some argue that this is far too young and that the legal driving age should be raised to 18, while others argue that raising the driving age would only do more harm than good and that the current driving age should remain unchanged. In …show more content…
My argument for not changing the current driving age is based upon three points: the varying mobility needs of each individual person and family and how the driving age affects them, how driving can teach responsibility and the opportunities it provides to those of driving age, and how instruction, practice, and experience makes a good driver, not age. Two of the most common arguments for raising the driving age are that teenagers are too immature, irresponsible, and reckless to be driving and that teen driving is dangerous and deadly. However, provided that sufficient thought is given, the basis of both arguments crumbles rather quickly. Therefore, it is my opinion that the current driving age of 16 in the United States should not be raised to 18, but should remain unchanged.