Should 16 Year Old Teenagers be Allowed to Drive

basilmarket.com forums : Chat | 15 posts archived

thread starter looklooklook Feb 26 2010 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

A recent plea by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety asks that states raise the minimum driving age from 16 to 17. The argument comes from studies that suggest, well, to put it bluntly:16 year-olds kill themselves a lot while driving. The study highlighted the mortality rates of 16 and 17 year-old drivers in New Jersey and Connecticut. In New Jersey 4.4 out of every 100,000 population 16 year-old drivers died in a car accident. Conversely Connecticut had 20.7 per 100,000 16 year-olds die in car wrecks. The difference is that New Jersey does not allow 16 year-olds to get licenses, where as Connecticut does. The trend was also encouraging in 17 year-olds, where rates remained about the same for both states, indicating that not being a licensed driver for the 16th year minimally effected mortality rates in the 17th. This study really has me thinking. Would you trust a 16 year-old to do anything that puts your life in danger? Why do we allow people this young to get behind a multi-ton slab of metal, and allow them to propel themselves down our interstates at high rates of speed? Given the recent SAT scores, which indicate that high-schoolers are dumber then ever, why do we allow such a massive responsibility to be held by these kids? Did you know that in South Dakota you can get your license at 14.25 years of age? The idea of someone getting behind the wheel, cranking up the Jonas Brothers on the stereo, and(in earnest) driving to their friends house to watch �High School Musical� really, really makes me nervous. http://nationaltransportllc.com/blog/16-year-olds-should-not-be-allowed-to-driveand-heres-why/ Just want to see how you basilers think about this topic.

My Characters: ShadowerXB - 88 Windia Chief Bandit

Eeveepony 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

I do not believe 16yr olds should be on the road. Most are too immature to handle a potentially deadly weapon. I know quite a few 16-17yr olds from High School that ended up killing themselves behind the wheel due to goofing off.

My Characters: Eeveepony - 70 Windia Wind Archer

98bline 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Let me put it this way: I wouldn't get in a car with a 16 year-old driver

My Characters: KnightRaccon - 20 Windia Warrior

looklooklook 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Well, I have to agree that the answer is no for sixteen year olds. However, what will happen to many schools athletes that need to be driven to school practices. Furthermore, some seniors need to be driven to school, how can it be possible when both parents are at work? Just some points I have found on internet.

My Characters: ShadowerXB - 88 Windia Chief Bandit

Zookeeper 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

I think it depends on the person. When I was 16 I focused on the road, mainly because the adult right next to me was mean and screamed at me when I made a mistake.

98bline + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

@2nd above: people come with feet use them

My Characters: KnightRaccon - 20 Windia Warrior

Herosgate 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] looklooklook : Well, I have to agree that the answer is no for sixteen year olds. However, what will happen to many schools athletes that need to be driven to school practices. Furthermore, some seniors need to be driven to school, how can it be possible when both parents are at work? Just some points I have found on internet. [/quote] they could run or walk they are athletes right? and as for going to school they should take a bus

My Characters: HerosGate - 70 Broa Crusader

shellic1 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

It depends on the person. If you're one of those idiots that thinks driving fast and dangerous is fun and cool, then no. If you're like shellic and don't give a crap and take your time, then yes.

My Characters: shellic - 52 Scania Cleric

lowrider66 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Eeveepony : I do not believe 16yr olds should be on the road. Most are too immature to handle a potentially deadly weapon. I know quite a few 16-17yr olds from High School that ended up killing themselves behind the wheel due to goofing off. [/quote] Looks like you don't want me driving. (;

My Characters: HottieNick - 58 Windia Assassin

looklooklook 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] 98bline : @above: people come with feet use them [/quote] How about the people living a zillion meters away from schools? You may think "then they shouldn't be going to that school", on the other hand, a lot of people go off to special/art schools created for intelligent people.

My Characters: ShadowerXB - 88 Windia Chief Bandit

Eeveepony 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] lowrider66 : Looks like you don't want me driving. (; [/quote] If you are 16, then no. Sorry. My safety and the safety of my loved ones are more important then your "freedom" on the open road.

My Characters: Eeveepony - 70 Windia Wind Archer

heyitsmexD + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

That's too bad because @ 16-18, parents need to be with the teenager while driving at all times until they recieve their license. But those that died while driving deserved so, because its either their fault for breaking the law and driving alone, or their parents couldn't stop them or couldn't realize they shouldn't be behind a wheel.

My Characters: OmGzItzMe - 92 Scania Chief Bandit

blazeknight7 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

I'am 16 and I foucus on the road, sometimes if I drive really far, I turn off the radio, to focus a bit more. If someone (brother, sister friends) disturb me while driving I politely ask them to quiet down a bit or we'll crash. I drive safetly =o

My Characters: chaosking25 - 55 Bera Spearman

looklooklook 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] heyitsmexD : That's too bad because @ 16-18, parents need to be with the teenager while driving at all times until they recieve their license. [/quote] Yes, you are absolutely correct. However, should 16 year old adolescent be able to drive 'alone' even if they received their license?

My Characters: ShadowerXB - 88 Windia Chief Bandit

Zookeeper 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] heyitsmexD : That's too bad because @ 16-18, parents need to be with the teenager while driving at all times until they recieve their license. [/quote] You can start at 15 and a half here, so you can actually get your license at age 16.