I think the age should definitely be raised to 18, also the testing process is a joke, 5 minutes and a few turns does not prove you can handle a 1 ton speeding mass of metal. I like the legislation limiting the aamount of people in the car with 16 year olds and preventing them from driving after certain times.

The driving age is much too low. The brain doesn't develop until the age 25 - there is no way that 16 year olds are able to make smart, responsible decisions.

Sure, I got my permit two years ago and I have to admit, I was not the safest driver. I did not go out racing or flying above the speed limit, but I was careless. I can already see the difference in my driving, I go a little slower and I take more time to make sure I'm being safe. I think if the age was raised even to 17, there would be less accidents.

I don't think it should be changed to 18 because many students hold jobs that need a reliable source of transportation and at that age no one wants to be in the car with parents learning how to drive.

I don't think raising the driving age would make much of a difference. In the end the problem is inexperience; the only reason people feel better drivers as they get older is because they've driven for several years. I know this is exactly how it has gotten with me, and I have had my license for about a year and a half.

Also, you can't really argue that 16-year-olds can't handle driving as the majority can. If we want to lower accident rates, stricter control on driving education is probably the key. I had to take a course to get my permit at 15, for example, and I think as a consequence of that I've never gotten in an accident aside from a slight fender-bender (not my fault)

There are some pros and cons to raising the driving age.
Let's start with the cons.
The biggest one I can think of, is since the drinking age is 21, if you start driving as 16, you have more experience with driving before you start driving after having 1 or 2 drinks. (I am NOT advocating drinking and driving, I'm merely stating that there is a legal limit that you can still drive)
Around the age 16, the children are in high school, and starting to learn responsibility by joining clubs, sports, and other after school activities. Being able to drive at this age helps parents out greatly.
We need to teach children responsibility, and they need to learn to be safe drivers. To teach responsibility, we need to give responsibility.
Now some pros:
16 year olds are still children (for the most part) and aren't responsible enough to drive. They don't understand that they are mortal, and bad things CAN happen.
If we need this, we should still have the children get their permits at a younger age, to get more practice in.
There would be less accidents, due to smarter drivers, and less drivers on the roads.

I think it should be based on the person themselves. If they are mature enough to follow the rules, no accidents, no tickets ect. then I think it should stay the same. But if they are like my friend was then YES I think it should be raised!

I started driving before the age of 16 and I have not gotten in any wrecks since now that im 18. The driving test doesnt have to be harder, but many teenagers are careless drivers and dont think. Or their parents spoil them and buy them their own cars and let them drive wherever they want.

I am 18 and still dont have my own car but I use my parents so it limits the time I use it, but dont get me wrong I do drive alot. And have been to far places like San Diego, the beach few times, as well as just plain out driving around. Its the mental state of teenagers some have the ability to drive well some dont but that doesnt mean that they should higher the age requirement. It would just mean more kids would be driving illegally thats all it wont really keep teenagers from driving.

I think it should be raised to 17 or whenever you are in your senior year in high school. Because by then you should be mature to drive, and drive safely.

Yes it should. Look at the age demographic involved in the most accidents it's young drivers. I personally chalk it up to underage drinking and driving way too fast. When you drive at a fast rate you have less time to make any type of corrections to prevent an accident. Alcholic consumption comes from people making an extremely poor decision. Alcohol effects your ability to react to things in an expediant manner you basically react to events much slower when your drunk.

Yes I agree. I know one who recieved a ticket for going 85 in a 35 speed limit. The person has also recieved MIP's!! Surely this is not showing responsablity.

I live in NJ and here you have to be 17 to recieve your lisence. I think 17 is a good age and would benefit for being the age all around the country. At 17, you're a junior/senior in highschool and should be responsible enough to be behind the wheel of a car. I do think the driving test should be changed however. I don't think you should be able to fail any part of the test and pass. Driving a motor vehicle is a big deal and can be very dangerous. Giving that priviledge out to the wrong person could be very hurtful to themselves and the other people on the road.

I agree on the fact that at sixteen we are all reckless at driving. It is the excitement in being able to drive and our influences and actions we do (smoking,drinking). I believe if it was raised to 18 that it wouldn't change much because people would still try to enjoy themselves and drive reckless. And the people who do drive reckless pay consequences and the one's who do follow the law should not be punished.

I don't think the driving age should be raised. I know that kids can be horrible drivers, but there are responsible drivers out there as well. Plus, if the driving age was raised to 18, and if you go to college at 17, what are you supposed to do for a full year with no car? especially if you go to college in a differet city/state. I agree with bok that they should maybe make the license harder to obtain, but I think if the age limit were to be changed, it should be changed to 17 years old, because most kids go to college at 17 or 18 years old.

As A mother of a soon to be teenage driver I would be in favor of raising the age to 17. He is a pretty good driver and he is in driver's ed but I feel that an extrs year of practice would not hurt.

Most states can just do what VA does.. They make the driving test so hard kids just can't pass it. They try and try and try...... They will usually pass it by the time they are 18. The test is tricky. My daughter is straight A student and studied for the test... Her, nor her friends can pass it.
I like that idea. It works for me.... Most young people that are responsible will never, ever get past it. They will really have to raise the bar if they wanna get behind that wheel in VA.