In high school, the most significant status symbol among students above sixteen is a driver’s license; it symbolizes independence. Many teens long for the day they pass their permit to take a driving test and demonstrate their competence. Getting a driving license for many teens is a memorable moment. However, not all 16-year-olds look forward to it; it’s either due to peer pressure, a push from the parents, or fear of getting behind the wheel.
Studies from the AAA (American Automobile Association) reveal higher chances of teenagers getting involved in car crashes four times more than adults. For this reason, there have been many debates, some concerning the push of the driving age higher, say 18 years. In other arguments, individuals support issuing of drivers’ licenses for people at the age of sixteen. The following are reasons why the age of attaining a driving license is 16.
Parent-child bonding time
During the first few months of getting a driving license, many teens will have their parents insist on being in the car as they drive. While this may annoy many teenagers, it provides safety and time to bond and learn from the parents. Apart from teaching ensuring safety, parents can also teach their kids a few things, like changing tires, checking the engine, and places like an Auto body shop in Salt Lake City where they can get spare parts in case of damage.
More independence
At the age of sixteen, teenagers are involved in many activities, like school, jobs, extracurricular activities, and social events that require transportation. Many individuals at sixteen feel the essence of breaking free from depending on their parents and elder siblings to get to their next destination. Getting a driver’s license at sixteen allows them to be independent and hit the road whenever necessary without feeling like a bother to other people; it means freedom.
Increased responsibility
With great freedom comes great responsibility; having a license at the age of sixteen is no exception. Unlike vacuuming floors, doing the dishes, and taking out the trash that sometimes feels like cruel punishment to teenagers, driving teaches responsibility. At sixteen, one can comprehend road rules, keep themselves and other road users safe, and take care of their vehicles in terms of maintenance. All these force the teen to be responsible for their lives.
Allows enough exposure time
Beyond high school, life can become quite busy with college life, looking for apartments, attending parties, and working. There’s hardly any time to learn more and gain enough experience to keep you safe on the road. If it’s your first time driving a car, it’s given that you will be bad at it. When kids are sixteen, it provides a grace period for their parents to monitor them until they gain adequate experience and become responsible drivers.
Arguments on raising the minimum driving license age make valid points, but it is a challenging issue. There are also supporting ideas and rules for new drivers that make it reasonable to issue drivers’ licenses for individuals at the age of sixteen. Although teen drivers are likely to be involved in car accidents, having licenses takes off pressure and burden from their families.