Benefits Of Lowering The Driving Age

The New Age

Wouldn’t it be nice to have more students involved in afterschool activities? A lot of freshmen complain that it is very difficult at times to get to their after school activities; such as sports and clubs, when they cannot drive. If the rules were changed, lowering the age of having a permit to fourteen instead of fifteen would be very beneficial for increasing the number of students involved in after school activities. Many people do not believe that the legal driving age should be lowered because teenagers would not be experienced enough and they are involved in more risky behaviors. Although, research does show that lowering the driving permit age could promote positive outcomes. Not only would it be beneficial for after school

To respond to the counterargument of teenager’s lack of experience, it will give adolescents more time to gain knowledge about safe driving and become more experienced before taking off into to the real world.

Most adults do not understand the benefits of lowering the driving age. When they were teenagers, especially in rural areas, they were far less likely to be involved in after-school activities due to needing to help on the farm. According to a 70 year old man who grew up on a farm, “I was not allowed to play fall or spring sports due to my dad and brothers needing me to help out on the farm. It was unfortunate that I couldn’t be involved in those activities, but that was the way it was back then” (Evans, Robert. Personal Interview. 14 December 2015). Over the years, adolescents today are becoming more involved in after school activities and are less likely to have to be needed on the farm.

Students are encouraged to take harder courses earlier as well as make decisions sooner about important life decisions about college enrollment and committing to a major. Since there is nothing magic about being sixteen and driving, it makes sense to reduce the age at which students can drive legally. Not every teenager develops at the same speed. Some may be completely responsible to take on the wheel at fourteen and others might be too immature even at sixteen. Some teenagers are the oldest and are forced to be more mature and take care of their younger siblings, while others are the youngest or only child so they do not become as mature and independent as some teenagers. Age plays a role in an individual’s skill and maturity, but their life experiences contribute greatly as well. Giving adolescents this responsibility at an earlier age will allow them to begin maturing at a younger age; they will be well-experienced and mature by the time they leave the home. Parents can help their novice drivers mature by having them run errands around town. “After being forced to play chauffeur for years, the tables finally turn and they can ask their kids to run errands for them” (Pros and Cons of Raising the Driving Age). Gradually giving teenagers more responsibilities overtime will help them