Some people think that the best way to improve road safety is to increase the
minimum legal age for driving a car or motorbike. To what extent do you agree
or disagree?
A common belief is that raising the minimum legal age for drivers and motorbike
riders is the most viable measure to increase safety on the road. I disagree with this
view.
Some people advocate this measure because they think that at higher ages, people
are more mature and responsible for their behaviors. Instead of exceeding the
legal speed limit like young boys, people aged more than 18 are supposed to be
calm enough to monitor their vehicles at a proper speed. However, I never think
age determines maturity. There are still teenagers who act like men but there are
also grown-ups whose actions are childish and irresponsible. A proof to clarify my
idea is that many drunk drivers who are culprits of severe crashes are middle-
aged.
Therefore, I think this method is relatively theoretical and want to recommend
other more promising actions that governments can do. Firstly, imposing harsher
punishments on driving offenses is more effective because of its warning effects
on vehicle users of any age. Also, people who violate traffic rules are liable for
heavy fines which are then put in the national budget for transport infrastructure
upgradation, which also contributes to the lower number of collisions. Secondly, I
think people are eligible to monitor vehicles when they are aware of traffic rules
and morals and are experienced and careful drivers. Thus, instead of increasing
legal age, a better way is driving license tests should be organized strictly to equip
essential knowledge and skills for would-be drivers.
In conclusion, I do not agree that raising the legal age is the best method to reduce
traffic accidents because age is not a criterion to gauge who are good drivers. I
recommend stricter penalties on driving offences and more well-organized driving
license tests as better solutions.