rs, “Honestly, I don’t follow all the traffic rules” (Zimmers 1). Likewise, teens need to focus on their schoolwork instead of recreational driving. The time wasted driving friends around could be better spent studying for a test. These friends are also a danger and distraction to the young, inexperienced driver. Teens need the extra couple of years to mature and become more attentive.In contrast, many believe that 16 years old is old enough to operate a motor vehicle. Many minors living with their parents face punishments, such as suspension of driving privileges, if they get a ticket or in a collision. They fear losing the ability to drive the family car if they break traffic laws, and often decide to obey the laws rather than be punished. In addition, teens need transportation to their jobs, classes, various entertainment venues, sports practices and competitions. Parents often lack the time to chauffeur the young adults to and from these places. Driving is imperative to teenage life. The ability to drive allows a teenager to be less dependent on their parents and more able to take on additional responsibilities. Without driving privileges, teens would not be able to get to the destinations previously listed.Furthermore, the common belief that teen car crashes often involve alcohol is false. The 1996 FARS statistics show that of young adults 16 to 20 years old, 78.5 percent of fatal crashes do not involve alcohol. Likewise, the same statistical reports show that the fatality rate for 16 to 20 year olds has decreased nearly ten percent from 1975 to 1996. Locally, the Nevada traffic fatalities have dropped three percent between 1998 and 1999 (www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/ncsa).If America’s youth do not begin to drive until they are 18 years of age, they will not have the knowledge and practice when they set out on their own. Many teens move out or go to college after graduating from high school. They...
