The Driving Age Should be Raised.
Whether the driving age should be raised or not has been a controversial debate in recent years, currently, in the United States, the legal age to get a full license is sixteen. However, in some states such as Idaho and Montana, lifted their driving restrictions from sixteen and up. Just like any other debate, this debate has its advantages and disadvantages (Team, 2017, p. 1). Majority of the teens and some parents think it’s not fair. However, the driving limit age should be raised due to teens’ poor risk perception and excessive risk-taking.
Risk perception is the abstract judgment that people make about the characteristics and seriousness of the risk. Generally, teens quickly acquire the necessary skills needed to handle a car, but it takes them longer to gain the higher-level intuitive and understanding skills to drive safely. Risk perception involves the identification of hazard perception in the driving surrounding, and it is related to age (Masten, 2004, p. 2). A driver should be able to identify the risk so that they are capable of responding to it. A novice driver is not likely to detect a dangerous situation compared to a more experienced driver. Moreover, the drivers tend to only focus on single characteristics which may not be safe.
Many teenagers’ are thrilled once they acquire their driving licenses and tend to take excessive risks on the roads. A detailed report in California shows that risky driving is related to the behavioural behaviour of risk-taking (Masten, 2004, p. 3). Most evidence indicates that risk-taking is one of the significant factors that cause accidents. Young teenagers are more likely to involve in this compared to adults (Masten, 2004, p. 4). They are more likely to make illegal turns, run red lights, drive after drug abuse, and violate traffic signs. Consequently, the type of crashes involving young teenagers is more likely to include speeding, rear-end collisions, and to defy traffic rules and regulations.
However, many argue that if the age limit is increased, it will limit transportation options for teenagers. Teenagers of this generation involve themselves in activities that require some means of transport. Such activities include jobs, social circumstances, after-school activities, and school. If they are not capable of acquiring a driving license, the responsibility shifted to the caregivers who may not be in a position to drive them (Koroknay-Palicz, n.d., p. 1). However, the availability of public transport is not guaranteed. Due to the above factors, teenagers maybe be limited to personal growth which is an essential aspect of their young age.
In conclusion, the driving age should be raised from sixteen because of various factors. Teenagers cannot tolerate high pressure that may arise from driving surroundings. A novice driver is more likely to concentrate on one thing. Risk perception involves understanding dangerous risks on the roads, and it comes with ages. Thus, teenagers at sixteen are too young to comprehend all rules and regulations set. Moreover, the involvement of reckless driving is more likely to be engaged by teenagers compared the adults. However, if the age limit is increased the personal growth of these teenagers is expected to be affected. They engage in various activities that require transportation, and in some instances, the caregivers may not have the time to do so.