Both CNN and USA Today recently ran stories on the issue, and it pops up from time to time in just about every major news publication. The main question is whether raising the driving age would reduce injuries and deaths. This issue is causing much debate between teens, parents and safety experts. Floridians also have mixed feelings about the proposal to raise the legal driving age to 17 years old.
It’s a fact that 16-year-old drivers are the most likely to crash. But some opponents of raising the driving age to 17 say that this would only delay the injuries and deaths. This is because they believe it is driving inexperience, not immaturity of the individual, that leads to the crashes. However, with maturity comes better decision-making ability, and it is possible that a 17-year-old may make a wiser choice than a 16-year-old.
Lawmakers in Florida who introduced the bill to raise the age have met with opposition. Another opposing argument is that parents would then have to drive their children for an additional year ? and many parents look forward to their teenager being able to drive themselves. One article quoted, “Parents and older siblings grow tired of being taxis.”
Some state residents have chimed in and suggested that we encourage our teens to use public transportation such as Tri-Rail and Palm Tran. And that we have them take cabs. Taxis aren’t cheap, but when you consider the high cost of gas and insurance, and the high likelihood teens face of being in an accident, cabs become a more affordable option.
Many states that are considering the age-raise currently share a sentiment about the topic, and that is that parents (voters) don’t want it. Georgia lawmakers called it “a tough sell.” It seems that Americans have the “age 16 driving age” engrained in their minds – almost set in stone. Despite the fact that older teens have improved judgment and cognitive ability, age 16 seems to be the accepted ‘balance’ age between safety and mobility. It’s a trade off that American parents seem willing to live with. At least, the majority of parents.
However, there is a minority that agrees with the age raise, pointing to the statistics that show 17-year-old drivers having fewer crashes and fewer fatalities. Of course these statistics vary by state and in some states the difference is quite small. Small enough for some to consider insignificant.
The bottom line – lawmakers in Florida believe that this is an important issue that must be investigated and addressed. Arizona is considering the same bill, and a statement from their Governors Highway Safety Association read like this, “We think it’s worth a dialogue, and more research.”
Contact
Tracy Vaspoli, Murray Guari Trial Attorneys PL
(561) 366-9099
Kim Sailer, BARD Marketing/PR
ksailer@bardmarketing.com
