Why can you drive when you are 16 but can't vote until you are 21?

John

Because driving is often a necessity, in the past young drivers were needed to help out on farms and it just never really changed from then that much.

But voting correctly and responsibly (not that many do) takes more mature and reasoned thought and an understanding of the candidates and issue.

16 year olds may have the necessity to drive but only rare few really understand much about politics, enough to even have a chance at making an informed decision.

siern1995

will the government wants you to have knowledge about the people who are running

Brian A

Good question, but I have no good answer! There is a song by Tim Wilson called "It's a sorry world" that goes like this: You can fight a war at 18, but you can't buy a beer. You can launch missile's from a submarine,but you can't buy a pistol here! You can breath chemical weapons here, but they don't want you to smoke. So when your shooting up a bar in Bagdad don't order a rum and coke!!! and so on! Who knows!!

BA

mamaof2gurls

No 16-17 yr old wants to think about voting, and we want people who understand politics to vote, not just any Jane Doe.

Tropical_Woman

Because driving requires a specific set of motor skills and enough common sense to realize your vehicle is a weapon and you should be responsible in order not to endager your life and that of others.

Voting, on the other hand, involves the responsibility of learning about social and political issues and getting to know the candidates in order to choose the ones who will best represent your interests and those of your county/state/country.

Most teenagers (and unfortunately, a good number of adults too) do not have the maturity or care enough to take the time to inform themselves and actually vote with their brains instead of being led like sheep.

Theoretically, an older person is supposed to know better; thus, the difference in age for allowing a person to drive vs. to vote.

it's katie =]

I think the voting age is 18 isn't it? It's just a level of maturity.

nana4dakids

You can vote at the age of 18. You can't drink alcohol until you are 21.

jl_68

Never ask, or they'll be passing a bill to change driving age to 21 as well!

Belie

You can vote when you're 18 in America, deary. It's drinking that has to be waited for until 21.

You only have to 18 to vote. And the drive ages vary from state-to-state. I think in New York it's 18.

salome

government are too lenient about driving age cause they are trying to teach you to be matured on your own accord, this is your life changing decision into adulthood.

but voting should be when you reach the age of 18, considered legal age but not for buying liquor, which is 21. i think the government wanted to give enough time for young adult to be more responsible for their own choice and action. maybe the government think that at that age of 18, your brain already reach the start of being grown up and possibility of thinking what is right and what is wrong. voting is a privilege for all legal age and citizen cause that is our voice out there.

andieangel2003

Why is it OK to send an 18 year old to war, but they can't sit down and have a beer with their dad before they go? I really find that wrong. A lot of sh*t in this country is messed up.

Plus, you DO get vote at the age of 18.

fire4511

Your statement is factually inaccurate. (assuming you are referring to the USA)

The driving age is set by the states, and in all states a minor needs parental permission to get a license.

The voting age is 18, not 21, and has been since at least 1976.

Flyboy

In the US, you can vote at 18. The 26th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age to 18.

Also, in many states, you can't get your full license until you're 17.

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