Skarie ACE Debate

Another reason why they should raise the driving age to 18 is that Young drivers are a risk to the community. For example, between 1995 and 2004, there were almost 30, 917 accidents caused by 15 to 17 year old drivers, according to the AAA. Also, according to the CDC, young drivers have costed $26 billion in injuries. $19 billion for males and $7 billion for females. So getting young drivers off the road for a little bit would do everyone some good.

Another piece of evidence that young drivers cause accidents by their own decisions is that in 2012, 71% of 15 to 20 year old drivers who died were killed by drinking and driving. Drinking and driving is their own decision. No one else can decide for them. Another piece of evidence is that 15 to 20 year old drivers that go into an accident, 37% were speeding and 25% were drinking and driving. So the one reason is that they get into crashes for their own choices.(Teen Driving Statistics, Geico). If we do raise the driving age that will give young drivers more time to mature and think about their choices and decisions.

Paige says that both 16 and 18 year old drivers are new to driving and that they would get into crashes anyways. But I disagree, that 2 year gap from 16 to 18 gives the brain more time to develop. Also, it gives teens more time to mature and make better choices like not drinking and driving and using a seatbelt. Therefore, raising the driving age would make a difference so teens can become more mature and make better decisions.

Do you think the driving age should be raised? I believe that the driving age should be raised to 18 for several reasons.

First of all, young drivers cause most of the accidents based on their own actions. For example, over 74,000 accidents have been caused by teens not wearing a seat belt.(Teen Driving Statistics, Geico)