In 2009, 3,500 teens died in automatic accidents and 35,000 went to ER. In 2006, 974,000 crashes occurred involving drivers between the ages 15-17. Also, 3,490 drivers in this age group died in motor vehicle crashes and an additional 272,000 were injured. Are you stunned at these cold facts? Are you shocked by this frightening piece of reality? Many people believe that the driving age should be raised, others simply disagree. The driving age must be raised to reduce crashes involving young drivers and to maintain a greener, healthier environment.
First of all, raising the driving age would enormously cut teen death rates. Teenagers are still immature, and their brains still haven't completely developed. This is why the highest death rates for drivers is amongst the age group 17-25. Moreover, teenagers can be easily distracted. It is most probable that a teenager is caught texting, drinking, talking, or even eating while driving! They still don't know the responsibility of driving and simply think of it as a game. Facts state that the driving age 15 to 20 years old accounted for 12.9 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes and 16 percent of all the drivers in police-reported crashes. In addition, according to Gary Landry, the insurance councilor in Florida "teenagers are still inexperienced and haven't reached the maturity level to be capable of driving a car."
Raising the driving age would also promote to a better environment. When teenagers aren't allowed to drive, they are forced to use public transportation (bus, train, subway...) which leads up to a greener environment. In addition, raising the driving age would diminish the number of cars on the road. This would immensely reduce overcrowding and the emissions of toxic gases especially CO2 which is emitted massively by cars. It has scientifically been proven that cars release about 12,000 pounds of CO2 every year. Every molecule of this gas is added to the atmosphere and stays there for about 100 years which contributes to climate change. Therefore, any measure which reduces car use should be supported.
To wrap things up, raising the driving age is essential to help decrease teen fatalities and promote to a better environment. It is a must that parents give their children's brains a chance to mature before handing them the car keys. This way, they might space the life of an innocent soul ...
