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Why shouldn’t the driving age be raised to 21?
My 16-year-old son has been begging to sign up for driver’s ed. I am worried he’s too young to handle the responsibility of driving. I’m wondering, why shouldn’t the legal driving age increase to 21?
Mary Cahill · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It’s always a little scary when our kids start asking for the keys. There has been a lot of debate on whether 16-year-olds possess the maturity to legally get behind the wheel. While many teenagers may lack the self-awareness of someone who is older, raising the driving to 21 may present certain hindrances.
Take a look at some of the reasons why the driving age shouldn’t be raised to age 21:
- It may not reduce the number of car accidents: There’s a learning curve when it comes to picking up a new skill and driving is no different. Getting your license at a later age does not change the fact that you’re still a new driver—and at greater risk of getting in an accident.
- Limits mobility for some teens: Teens who live in remote or rural areas may not have the same access to public transportation as other kids. Preventing them from getting a license may hurt their chances of holding down a job or participating in sports.
- Burdens parents: By the time your son or daughter turns 21, there’s a good chance they no longer live at home. A lot of parents won’t want to be responsible for transporting their kids around when they’re living elsewhere and old enough to graduate college.
No matter what age, drivers should always feel protected on the road. When it comes to getting the best coverage,
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