At sixteen years old, getting a driver's license seems like the main priority in life. This milestone helps a teen feel more independent allowing them to have the freedom to go wherever they want, whenever they want. When obtaining a driver’s license, the teenager increases their range of job opportunities and is not limited to a specific location. Getting a job at a young age will only benefit a 16-year-old because it helps build a resume for their future. A first job will allow a person to gain experience, build their character, and understand the value of money. In general, getting a driver’s license is a big step in growing up in our society today.
However, this new independence does not always correlate with maturity or responsibility. At first, driving is so thrilling and even a bit daunting. But over time with more experience, people tend to overestimate their skills and abilities. My brother is 19 years old. He has always loved cars but ever since getting his license at 16, his passion has grown even more intense. He is one of the youngest in his friend group, so he has grown up around older guys who also share the same passion. Teenagers tend to value the opinions of their friends and want to be accepted by their peers. Subsequently, after driving in the car with his friends, he observed their driving and picked up on several unhealthy habits. One of the worst, in my opinion, is not buckling his seatbelt. After asking him why he never buckles, he claims they are too uncomfortable. Several of his friends also refuse to buckle in the car, especially if the drive is a short distance. There is also a fairly large group of people who refuse to use blinkers when switching lanes or turning. This can cause a lot of danger, not only to the driver disobeying the law but also to the other drivers around. It is very important to inform other drivers when you are planning to merge into another lane. Let them know your next move.
In addition, many teenagers whom I have driven with, including myself at times, like to drive faster than the speed limit. Whether that is because we tend to engage in risky behavior or the adrenaline levels increasing, 16-19-year-olds tend to drive faster than allowed. In driver's education, everyone is taught the risks of speeding and breaking traffic laws, however, teens do not like being told what to do. This may also be another explanation for irresponsible driving.
Many people may argue that pushing back the age limit for starting driving education from 16 to 18 years would be a solution to reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving. Yet, I would argue that it would only cause more harm, by reducing the amount of experienced drivers on the road. Although 16-year-olds are not the wisest people, ultimately more experienced drivers are safer than “mature adults” who don’t have much previous experience on the roads. Increasing the minimum age for a driver's license would not benefit our country because many teenagers need to drive themselves to school and work. The age of legal majority, in most states around the US, is 18. If we change the starting age for driver education from 16 to 18, breaking traffic laws will result in harsher, more severe punishments since all beginner drivers will be legal adults.
Still, I think the amount of time that a person has been driving does not always justify their driving skills. Teenagers are not the only group whose driving should be observed. Many elderly people also drive irresponsibly. Traffic and driving laws are changed, updated, or modified periodically. Also as humans get older, our reaction time gets slower, eyesight and hearing worsens, joints stiffen, and muscles weaken. Physical changes in the human body can make it harder for seniors to turn their heads and look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely. Therefore, I believe that at a certain age, drivers should be required to retake driver education and update their knowledge of the rules of the road. Ensuring everyone is updated on recent driving education is important to reduce the number of deaths caused by car accidents.
Several steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving. Most people think that they are the best driver on the road, and that “everyone else just sucks at driving.” Still, everyone should follow safety regulations including obeying traffic laws, buckling the seatbelt, using blinkers, and not tailgating or texting but rather staying focused on the road.
All of us can be better and safer drivers. Ultimately, it doesn’t come down to who is the better driver, but rather who respects life. Those who respect their own life and the lives of people around them would never intentionally put someone in danger. All drivers need to be educated on the rules and laws of driving, to reduce the number of deaths related to irresponsible driving.