Legal Driving Age
...and the families involved traumatised.(Sunday Times, 25 Aug 2002 p11) The outcome of this quite clearly shows irresponsibility of some novice drivers, including speeding and inattention. The results can be tragic. The main reason the legal driving age should be increased is because more accidents occur as a result of novice drivers. More accidents occur on Australian roads by drivers under the age of 24 than any other driving age group. Drivers under the age of 24 make up 15 percent of the total driving population but account for over 32 percent of all serious car crashes and casualties. Learner drivers are among the safest on Australian roads, but after gaining their license for six months, they become the worst drivers.(www.atsb.gov.au)Novice drivers believe they have right of way, which can, quite often, result in death, due to novice driver’s disrespect of the road and other drivers. To prevent further accidents and many avoidable deaths on Australian roads, the legal driving age should be increased. The legal driving age should be raised because young people are often financially challenged and, therefore purchase an older and cheaper vehicle. The vehicle they purchase is often unroadworthy or unsafe. Many young and novice drivers purchase vehicles, which may have poor safety, due to the older age of the vehicle causing the vehicle to be a potential death trap. By raising the legal driving age, it would allow inexperienced drivers to accumulate additional funds, enabling purchase a later model vehicle. A later model vehicle is more likely to have higher safety standards and be more reliable. Common first vehicles in Australia include the popular Ford Falcon and the Holden Commodore. Some of these vehicles include this 1984 Ford Falcon advertised in the West Australian.(Sat 17 Aug 2002) This Falcon is in desperate need of repair, but is being advertised for $500 as an efficient, safe and cheap vehicle. An increased legal driving age would improve the quality and safety of vehicles on Australian roads. Another valid reason the legal driving age should be increased is because people must be older to vote and legally drink alcohol in Australia, but can drive at a younger age. Driving requires c...