“Teenagers_Should_Not_Receive_Their_Driver's_Licenses_Until_They_Are_at_the_Age_of_21”

Should the age to receive a driver’s license be raised to twenty one' This is a growing question across Australia as well as other countries around our globe. The percentage of teenage accidents involving automobiles is on a constant rise. Whether caused by the lack of experience or under the influence of alcohol, death has become all too common among teen motorists. This problem is not going to go away by itself; action needs to be taken. The state must raise the age requirement to receive a license or institute graduated licensing because teens are not mature enough to handle the dangerous responsibilities of driving. It has been statistically proven that drivers under the age of twenty-one are more prone to accidents, than those who are over the age of twenty-one. The reason for this is that people, who are under twenty-one years of age, have less experience in driving. For those drivers who are less experienced, some are peer pressured and easily influenced to make the wrong decisions, which could lead to dangerous things. Teenagers may also lack skills in driving in wet weather conditions. When it rains the roads are slippery and it maybe hard for an inexperienced driver to control the car in such conditions, therefore an accident may occur. Besides less experience in driving, carelessness while driving is also a main cause of accidents. Drivers could be easily distracted and so their concentration is taken off the road, which may cause harm to others, as well as themselves. Many teens have died from car accidents by not paying attention to the road at all times. In today’s society, the idea of sixteen and seventeen year olds operating cars has become a way of life. But if one stops to think about it, there is no need for these drivers to be on the road. Most of these drivers still live at home and have no job because they are still in school. To go to school they can take public transport or be dropped off by their parents. It is also costly to keep a car, its maintenance is high, and with insurance, it is more expensive if the driver was under the age of twenty five and would need parent’s approval, there is also the cost of petrol, car registration, service and repair. It is not necessary for them to drive until they are a couple of years older when they are more mature, working and can afford to maintain a car themselves. Economically, it is obvious that accidents, fatalities and deaths is a result of reckless driving due to people under the age of 21, which causes financial loss to the government. It is known that when deaths occur from car accidents, the government has to use its government budget to support families. Those who survive an accident and have a permanent injury may not be able to work and need help to get through every day life; the cost for carers would also need to be taken into consideration. Instead of giving and earning for the government, survivors of car accidents use the money from the government through health and medical budgets. It is a cost to society for they are not contributing to the community, but receiving benefits due to an accident. When an accident occurs, the injured take up hospital beds, it costs up to $3000 per day for a normal hospital bed and $10 000 per day for an Intensive Care hospital bed. This could be reduced as it is evident that more car accidents are likely to occur as inexperience drivers under the age of 21 have more accidents than others. I feel that to drive a car is a challenging task, which should only be taken on by drivers at the age of twenty one because they are more responsible and understand the risk involved. They would know the consequences of carelessness and be more equipped and able to respond in a crisis. Turning the age of sixteen is a huge step in the life of a teen. At that age, there is a lot of confusion and stress from physical and mental developments, the implications of holding a license may not be realised. I think that they are not mature enough to drive, and hold the responsibility of their life and possibly the lives of others. By reducing the number of car deaths due to the majority of accidents occurring to drivers under the age of 21, will reduce the effect of family turmoil. Families are less likely to experience the pain of a lost one or a permanent disability of a teenager. The lives of these young and healthy people, would have contributed to a stronger and more progressive economy. In my opinion, the money that could be saved from the reduction of injury and death of these teenagers and road traffic accidents (RTA) could go towards researching new cures for diseases and a better medical system.