Does it really make a difference if the driving age is raised a couple of years?

Michael Morrow

January 30, 2013

AP English

3rd period

    Does it really make a difference if the driving age is raised a couple of years? Congress wants to raise the driving age to 18. Congress should not raise the age for driving because of some teens making inadequate decisions. The more practice and nurturing they get, before and during they get on the road, less accidents will occur. Therefore, teenagers should be able to start driving as early as possible, regardless of age.

Undoubtedly, Congress should not raise the age for driving just because “[…] 11 teens ‘dies’ in car crashes each day,” according to Nicole Gaudiano. It is not the whole teenage populations fault that 11 teens, a day, dies in an automobile accident for being careless and imprudent; therefore, Congress should make stricter laws on cell phones and driving. Instead of stopping the person from excelling in something they will need in the future, Congress should focus on the distractions that are causing the deaths. Cell phones laws need to be more solid so “[…] 11 teens” can be reduced to 1 or 2.

Furthermore, parents should take a stronger stand in their child’s driving education. Parents should talk to their teenagers about the dangers of texting or talking on the phone while driving. Nourishment of their mind is a vital part of driving, which is probably not being done. NHTSA’s Julia Piscitelli implies that, “Even teen who buckle up when they ride with their parents are far less likely to do so when they are … with their friends.” Teens would buckle up regardless of when anyone is in the car, if parents pushed them harder.

On the contrary, teens are trying to get away from the overbearing parents by driving somewhere else. In the article a woman said, “No child needs to be in control of a car anyway.” Teens are trying to escape from being a child. The supervised hours of driving should be above “[…] 30-50 hours”, to insure the safety measures of driving. The time spent practicing is vital to the beginning steps of driving. It is to perfect the craft of what you are trying to learn;thus, the hour 30-50 hours should be increased to 60-80 hours of supervised driving.

    To conclude, teenagers should be able to start driving as early as possible, regardless of age. Congress should keep the driving age the same while enforcing laws heavier. Parents should, also, produce a vital role in their child’s driving methods and habits. So, should the driving age be dropped because of a couple of irresponsible drivers.