IIHS Wants to Raise Driving Age
Getting a driver’s license is one of those all-American rites of passage that most teenagers cherish. As of now, 49 states allow teens at least a restricted license — usually with restrictions on the hours of the day during which they can drive and the number of passengers they can carry — under the age of 17. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety would like all states to raise the minimum age to 17 or older, with or without restrictions.
IIHS says drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 crash at a substantially higher rate than older groups and that, within that group, 16-year-olds have the highest crash rate of any age category. According to IIHS, places with higher minimum driving ages — like New Jersey, Great Britain, Australia and European Union states — have lower vehicular crash rates than places with lower driving ages.
One argument IIHS has tried to sort out is the association between young drivers’ crash rates, their experience and their maturity. After all, if it’s a driver’s rookie habits that are to blame for accidents, then delaying licensing will merely postpone the problem. IIHS says its research proves that 16-year-olds, especially girls at that age, have a higher rate of injury in crashes than older teenagers who have the same amount of driving experience.
IIHS says that raising the age for licensing, combined with a graduated licensing program (including learners’ permits, which many states require), will significantly reduce vehicular crashes/fatalities for an age group that disproportionately contributes to the problem.
One potential con to this initiative is the burden it places on the parents of teens. For many parents, a child getting his or her license is helpful in a country that’s overly reliant on private automobiles, and where teens typically keep busy schedules. Teens might not be able to find a job as easily or take part in other activities without independently driving themselves around.
A 2004 USA/CNN/Gallup poll found that 37% of parents endorsed a driving age of 16 or older, while 61% wanted it at 17 or older. Add your voice to the issue. What do you think about rising the driving age?
