Vote totals:
Yes:
42%
No:
58%
Neutral:
0%
DEBATE: THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
The number of serious or fatal road accidents in the UK will be reduced
The numbers speak for themselves. Statistics have shown that 15% of all accident deaths on UK roads involve drivers under the age of 21. Research shows that 17 to 20 year olds are about seven times more likely to be killed or injured in an accident (per mile of driving). This is illustrated by the fact that 135 teenage drivers were killed on UK roads during 2007, with many more injured. Raising the minimum driving age to 18 would dramatically decrease deaths and injuries.
Raising the age does not guarantee a reduction in deaths. Rather, it would just change the statistics from "17 to 20 year olds" to "18 to 21 year olds". The reason why drivers crash is a lack of experience, and an 18 year old with one year’s worth of experience is just as likely to crash as a 17 year old with one year’s experience. For that matter, it would be the same with a 35 year old with one year’s experience. Raising the age therefore would not dramatically increase deaths and injuries. You may be able to change the age, but you can’t change the people!
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
17 year olds are simply not mature enough to cope with the skills required for driving
At the age of 17, most people have still not reach full mental maturity, and hence may not yet be completely capable of handling the responsibility of driving a car. They may not have fully developed their skills in hazard perception or spatial awareness. By 18 these skills may have had more time to flourish.
Everybody is different. To say that someone at the age of seventeen is not mentally mature is a sweeping generalisation. Some people by the age of 18 may well not have reached what the proposition cite as "full mental maturity". Some people may never reach "full mental maturity". We mature at different rates, and therefore we have safeguards to ensure that those driving have sufficient "mental maturity", and it’s called "the driving test". If you haven’t passed, you can’t legally drive without a person who has held a full clean licence for three years with you. Doing so is breaking the law and is punished. Raising the age to 18 would have no effect whatsoever because the driving test is there to ensure the "mental maturity" of the driver before he is fully qualified.
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
Young people may have a “racer boy” attitude to driving
The immaturity of some young people may deem that they are not sensible enough to be let loose on the roads. British law does not allow citizens most adult privileges until the age of 18. Why should driving be any different?
The proposition forgets that drivers are not "let loose" on the roads, but that they must take a test first to ensure their driving proficiency. And to generalise and say that 17 year olds are immature is wrong. In fact, many boy-racers are over the age of 20 at least. Look at the presenters and audience of Top Gear.
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
Raising the age limit may do something to promote more environmentally friendly alternatives
If young people are not permitted to drive, they would effectively be forced into looking for alternatives to get about. This may mean that they are encouraged to use greener alternatives such as public transport. Instilling this idea at a young age could mean that they think about the environment more in the future – an ever increasing issue in today’s climate.
People should have the choice as to whether they drive or use other forms of transport. If the government wanted to promote greener transport then it should do it in a way that does not just discriminate against young people.
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
.
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
They should undergo a one year ‘settling down’ process
They should not be allowed to carry passengers until one year after passing the test. This would allow them to acquire some road sense and, hopefully, common sense. Any misdemeanours and the clock restarts. Three strikes within that year and they are banned for life.
Brutal? So is the loss of an innocent life.
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
People who go to university will hardy have any time to learn how to drive!
They will have lots of work to do! Believe me I know! I tried to learn whilst I was in Uni and I just couldn’t cope with the amount of work and learning how to drive. It’s been two years since I first tried to pass the test and I still haven’t passed!
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
Other countries are even younger – in America only 16!
Just because other countries have it, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is right. The statistics on road deaths in the US reflect those of the UK. America is also considering its stance on minimum driving age at this time.
In countries such as America and Australia the minimum driving age is even lower. This would seem to set a precedent that it is ok.
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
The accidents may just be delayed by one year
Only by carrying out the change will we be able to see if it works or not.
By raising the age it does not guarantee that accidents will decrease. They may simply just be delayed by one year as drivers are having accidents a year later. This would be the case if the accidents were caused primarily by lack of experience as opposed to age.
In addition, carrying out any change just to see if it works is generally a poor idea. If it is not broken, do not fix it.
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
It removes the freedom of young people
Surely it’s worth restricting the freedom of young people in order to preserve their lives and the lives of others. Freedom is no good to you if you’ve been paralysed in a car accident or killed your best friend.
Without personal mobility, young people are restricted as to where they go and when they go. This not only has implications for the human rights of young people, but may have further reaching impacts such as a hit on the economy if younger people find that their ability to work is constrained.
THE MINIMUM DRIVING AGE SHOULD BE RAISED TO 18
There are alternatives – such as making tests more rigorous
All of these alternatives have their own pros and cons and should be considered in conjunction with a change in the minimum age.
Instead of simply raising the minimum age, alternative proposals could be made. These could include making tests harder to pass, imposing a compulsory number of practise hours or legislating new restrictions on young drivers once they have passed such as not being able to drive at night.