Should the driving age be changed to 21?

UCANTCME

Yes................

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year olds.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 3,490 drivers in this age group died in motor vehicle crashes in 2006 and an additional 272,000 were injured.

Drivers age 15- to 20-years old accounted for 12.9 percent of all the drivers involved in fatal crashes and 16 percent of all the drivers involved in police-reported crashes.

Twenty-five percent of teen drivers killed were intoxicated. In 2006 (latest data available) crashes involving 15 to 17 year olds cost more than $34 billion nationwide, in medical costs, property damage and other costs, according to an AAA analysis.

Among licensed drivers, young people between the ages of 15 and 20 have the highest rate of fatal crashes relative to other age groups, including the elderly.

In fact, the risk of being involved in a fatal crash for teens is three times greater than for drivers age 65 to 69.

Immaturity and lack of driving experience are the two main factors leading to the high crash rate among teens.

Silverstang

no, they shouldn't. Should be teaching them how to drive better.

81Mustang

No! That would raise crime, many people bellow 21 have jobs and commitments that require them driving. So if they can't drive, they can't work and they need to make money.........yeah you got it they will either become drug dealing crack addicts or thieves! If the driving age was 21 then that 21 year old driver would do all the same stupid things behind the wheel as a 16 year old driver. It isn't just maturity it is experience, of course when people start doing something they have never done before there is a percentage of human error involved, driving is a learning curve just like anything. I think it would be good to improve on the drivers education system, but I think it would be bad to raise the driving age. Me myself I have never had an accident and I have driven since I was 14, I have learned a few things since the first time I got behind the wheel of course so I know I'm a better safer driver now then when I started. Also I got my first job when I was 16 and I was married and owned my own home by the age of 19, so if I had not had a drivers license then I could not have done those things and my life would probably be pretty screwed up by now. Just think you are pretty well forcing people to live at home and be a burden on their parents till they are 21! What needs to be done is a crack down on the old drivers who are unsafe (don't get me wrong they are not all unsafe) I see too many white haired old lady's cutting in front of traffic, nearly running over pedestrians, running stops signs and lights, driving way too slow...... The simple fact is some of these people have reached an age and health condition where their reaction time, vision and strength are not good enough to safely operate a vehicle. These people also mostly collecting pensions and could live without their car, but of course they won't unless forced to. All I'm suggesting is a mandatory road test at the age of 65 for all drivers and then again every 2 years time, if they can't pass it, they loose their license, simple as that. So that is my rant, like it or not!

MAGIE

To me it is this way if you are young & have the courage to do your driving in a proper manner as agood driver without any offences then the aged does not count.
You should use the word Define, analyse , Decide, then Act.
If you follow this instructions on the road I think you will meet less accidents on the road.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: