Should there be a minimum age for driving - Essay Example

Full There Should Be a Minimum Age for Driving Do you know that one of the leading causes of death among teenagers is caraccident? Teenagers are prone to car accidents because of certain factors such as immaturity not only in their thinking and actions but also in their biological structures. Therefore, it is surprising why teenagers from 15-17 years are even allowed to drive. This writer believes that there should be a minimum age for driving and it should not be 15-17 years. This paper discusses the reasons for this arguments and the reader hopes to illuminate readers about the matter and make them take action before young people hit the road and harm themselves.

Statistics show that teenagers have higher chances of being involved in car accidents and the rates are equally high for death rates caused by such accidents. America, for example has the highest number of teenagers in car accidents. Therefore, the government made it a policy that teenage drivers should have more practice hours, attend seminars about driving and take a written exam before they get licensed. Drivers aged 15-17 are also required to drive with an adult who knows how to drive however, it is known that this is not always practiced.

There are teenage drivers who insist on driving alone because they want to reiterate their abilities and capabilities. Most often, parents would give in because they cannot control their children or simply because they are very busy that they do not have time to attend to their children-- which is actually the reason why they are letting their children drive, so that they do not have to drive them to and from school. Left alone in a car, the teenage driver is also left with decisions he oftentimes immaturely acts upon.

For instance, once a teenage driver is left with the freedom to use the car, he could also let his friends ride with him which can eventually lead to drinking and doing drugs. These are dangerous paths for teenage drivers because it is known that alcohol and drugs alter a person’s perceptions. Considering that they do not drink or do drugs, driving with a group of friends can lead to joking or even fighting which will affect the driver and could lead to a dangerous accident. Moreover, there is the issue on the use of cellphones among teenagers.

Since they oftentimes communicate with their friends, there is a greater tendency for teenagers to be texting or calling while driving. This increases the risk of teenage drivers to be involved in a car accident. One might argue that such circumstances can also be true among adults. Indeed. However, teenagers are more prone to the aforementioned considerations because of their biological make up. Teenagers are still growing and their bodies, especially their brains, are still maturing. The ongoing developmental processes affect their perceptions and decision-making abilities and this makes them prone to committing mistakes.

Therefore, the minimum age for driving should be 18 years because by that time, a teenage driver is quite developed biologically. He would then be able to make wise decisions regarding the use of cellphone, drinking and doing drugs as well as inviting friends. The risks for car accidents will be lower.