Q07041

Should the driving age change?

You are 15 years old and you see something you really want like a playstation or a new pair of rugby boots, but it costs too much and your parents will not buy it for you. You need a job, but how will you drive to work everyday if they put the driving age up? A reason why they are putting the driving age up is so that their brains are matured enough to know how to drive, but most teenagers start learning to drive when they are old enough for their learner licence. Teenagers will also start driving at the same time they start drinking alcohol and that could be a disaster.

There are a lot of teenagers with jobs or going to university so the driving age is good at 15, otherwise they will not be able to get there with their learner licence or no licence at all. Teenagers also need to go to parties, friends’ houses, sports and other recreational events. They will need someone who has had their full licence for two years or more in the car with them when they drive on their learner licence.

A reason why they are putting the driving age up is so that the teenagers starting to drive will be more intelligent, because it is said that teenagers contribute to a lot of the crashes and accidents on New Zealand roads. Most people think it does not make a difference as the teenagers will start learning to drive when they are old enough for their learners licence. The driving age is fine at fifteen.

Putting the driving age up could cause more crashes due to drunk driving, as a lot of teenagers start going to parties at that age. By the time they are on their restricted or full licence they will be old enough to drink alcohol. Putting the driving age up to 16 years old will not do much good for anyone. The number of crashes in New Zealand could even increase.

16 years old is too old to start driving as teenagers need to get to important places. There could even be an increase of crashes due to drunk driving. Instead of raising the driving age they could make the tests tougher.