Why should the driving age be raised?

UCANTCME

DECEMBER 2008

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.

warrior

well based from my driving i can tell:speeding, talkin on the phone, showing off to friends, running red lights, stop signs, and many more

hello

drivers under the age of 21 are 5-10 times more likely to be involved in an accident than drivers 35-55 are. accidents are a top 2 killer of adolescent males in the US.

Guy K

cause i have wrecked twice in 5 months

dirtytricksracing@sbcglobal.net

There are no good reasons not to. Young people have screwed it up for them selves and soon will have to wait till they are at least 18.

Turtle 6

It should not be raised. Rather, young people should be made aware that obtaining your license means you have been awarded the PRIVILEGE of operating a motor vehicle.

The only rights you have in life are: Voting and dying.

smiles11's comment that 18-yr olds should be allowed so they can go to college? BOO HISS! The last time I checked, that was NOT a requirement for higher education.

I myself revoked my driving privileges [due to failing a vision exam] in 1989; in the past 20 years I've seen many reasons and examples that reinforces my decision.

My vision is now 20/20; but until the youth of this country get it out of their heads that driving is a divine right, you'll see me on the bus.

smiles11

i was such a bad driver for the first 3 years or so. I drove so fast. talked on the phone, took corners hard. and I'm a girl. And I never had an accident or ticket my first 4 years of driving. I think that a possible solution could be a longer time driving under a permit..it's important for 18 year olds to drive so they can go to college.

wildpunkrocker

it shouldnt.
im 14, and i want to get my learner's this year

Elvis C

Why does it need raised first of all. There is no difference in 2 years. When you first start driving at 16 you are among your peers at school whether your 16 or 18. You all talk about your car and what you do. It is good info since it may help you drive better in the long run. If you start driving when you turn 18 you graduate high school and then you are out in the world all alone except family to talk too. Plus if you have to go to college what college kid drives? Not all. So if you wait until you graduate college then you are like 22 by then. Who wants to wait that long. So your speach should have facts first. Thats my take.

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