I'm not a big fan of raising the age to get a liscense. All it does is makes a generation of immature drivers with less experience at the wheel. Getting a driver's liscense is a rite of passage. If you don't allow kids to learn to drive until later, they don't learn that responsibility until later. Then you end up with less responsible and experienced drivers at the wheel. I know that it is very dangerous for new drivers to start off training in places like Los Angeles where every driver assumes that you're an expert and that you have eyes in the back of your head. There are fewer rural areas to practice for safety for newly learning drivers. However, drivers' training classes now have video game like driving simulators that students can use to practice driving with no risk. I think more extensive driver's training at the wheel is a good idea. However, if the state is going to require it, they should pay for the extra training, not the students. Many poor students would make great drivers as they are usually the ones who have already had to hold down jobs and are more responsible. It's the rich kids text messaging while drinking and smoking that have lawyers to get them out of trouble when they get in an accident that I'm worried about. Some other laws may prevent some reckless driving. At least in California, there is a law that goes into effect July 1 requiring hands-free devices to be used if you talk on a cell phone. I think reckless drivers who have caused accidents shouldn't simply get their liscenses suspended and then get them back after awhile. I say that they should have to repeat drivers' ed, drivers' training, retake the written and physical exams, and then have to do community service for Meals for Wheels for 6 months. Reckless drivers need to learn responsibility even if it has to be forced on them.
Hey I agree. Raising the age doesn't fix the problem, it just makes it happen to older people. Teenagers need to learn responsibility, driving is a good way to learn it. Make the minimum age 30 and we'll have teenagers that are even MORE irresponsible then we have now!
I'm 16, and just started driving. Now I don't want to sound like I'm 'Oh so good at driving, everybody else stinks', but I watch the way people drive and it is scary! They don't concentrate on the task at hand, driving! They don't think ahead of the car. Don't forget that it is better to be late, and alive, than on time, and dead. Don't be reckless. Be responsible!
That being said...I have been flying longer that I have been driving, and I approach driving the same way I do flying. When I get in the driver's seat I have a responsibility to drive in a safe manner. Everybody does, that means not driving when you are under the influence of ANYTHING...anger, alcohol, annoying passenger.
Just do your part and try to influence other to also.