should the driving age be changed to 18?
357059
Absolutely. and the test should be much more difficult. They'll give anyone with a pulse permission to comandeer a 2 ton flying piece of metal. Talk about stupid!!\n\n32 \nMale
339807
Although I don't think most people are ready by 18, some are mature enough and stay married for life. By the same token there are fools of all ages that marry without real thought.\nMore importantly than an age limit, I think what would improve success rates would be a waiting period...register and then marry a year later. There could be exceptions for extreme circumstances (illness, perhaps going away to war) but I think there'd be fewer divorces if people weren't allowed to marry impulsively.
996183
Actually, statistically, girls are better drivers than boys in the late teen years. \n\nThat's why insurance for a 16 year old boy is almost three times that of a 16 year old girl. \n\nPerhaps males should have to wait until they're 21.
703564
I was involved in a road rage incident where a young male tried to run me, my wife and two lads off the road.  The police were informed, given an accurate description and registration.  They did not act upon this and months later the idiot has caused a young woman to collide with a bus in Oxfordshire, resulting in her death.   My wife and i were contacted and have identified the idiot and will more than likely have to attend court, which we don't mind.  However, it is not going to give this 24 year old woman her life back!\n\nWhy do people have to rush around, speeding and being aggressive.  The maximum sentence for this kind of incident is 14 years.  The law needs to act upon this and impose stiffer penalties especially where loss of life is concerned.  \n\nI think any person who has caused a death due to agression and stupidity on the roads should have their licenced revoked indefinitely and if they are caught driving they should serve 5 years in prison each time they are caught.  The sentence for dangerous driving resulting in death should carry a 25 year sentence.\n\nThe government is too soft.  Money is more important in the eyes of the law, just pick up the newspapers and see the sentences imposed for money related crime or fraud or drugs.  The government needs to throw out an improved message about the value of life!
1066050
The Legal age of 21 is good.\n \nALL PEOPLE need to take responsibility for their own actions.  If you are 21+, you can go out, drink legally, have fun and safely drive home.  Military personnel can drink at 18, on the base.\nI'm sure some 14yr olds could drive safely after a few drinks, but that doesn't mean we should lower the drinking age and driving age.  I've actually witnessed some 34yr olds, who can't drive after a few drinks.  Should it raised to 35 or worse, illegal to drink after the age of 33?  There will always be people under the age of 21, that find a way to get alcohol, but it's not OK.  If you get caught, you get in trouble.  If you're driving over the legal limit, you will get in big trouble and could serious hurt or kill people.  Don't ruin someone elses good time.\n\nIt's OK to drink, just know your limit and be responsible.  Call a friend/cab, take the bus or sleep in your car until you sober up.
490636
Part of me says YES it should lowered to 18. BUT I say this ONLY because at the age of 18 you can do ANYTHING that an adult can EXCEPT drink. BUT my biggest reason for saying yes, is because at the age of 18 you can go into the military and you can get drafted into the military and GIVE your LIFE to or for your country. BUT the government is going to say NO you can't DRINK because your not old enough. I feel if you are old enough to chance giving your life for your country then you ARE old enough to drink.\nBUT on the other side at 18 your still a kid and not old enough or should I say mature enough. BUT overall YES. Have a good debate in class. and let me know how it turns out thanks.
44981
The law doesn't say it, the people who pass laws say it.  You being one of those people, you can always work to change it.\n\nWould you agree that there needs to be some legal age for those things?  I mean, do you feel like it should be legal for a 12 year old to buy and drink whiskey?  A nine year old to buy and smoke tobacco?  I assume you're okay with the idea that there needs to be some regulation on the ages for those things.\n\nIf your question has to do with the disparity between them, I'd agree with the other poster.  I can smoke a pack of cigarettes in ten minutes and get in my car and drive as safely as ever.  I can't drink a six-pack in ten minutes and go off and drive safely, so it makes sense to me that we'd sell alcohol to people who are older than 18.\n\nMaybe we should raise the smoking age? :)
49401
Here in Canada the drinking age is 19, I think that's fair. I think 21 is a bit high. Smoking should be 18...so should the legal age of consent, btw.
851103
I rather have people drive at 21...but that's moot\n\nBut you can argue that intead of raising the age, but to start on a graudated licensing system\n\nIe ,at age 14 one can apply for a permit. The permit will allow only:\n1) to be with a licensed Parent or legal guardian (so no, your best friend who is 18 who has a license cannot be with you).\n2) are only allowed to drive during daylight hours.\n3) required to put in a minimum of 100 hours of driver's education. and at least 30 hours of drive time with an instructor or 60 hours of driving simulation.\n\nAt age 16, you can apply to get a driver's license but with these limitations\n1) Limited to only driving during daylight hours.\n2) $2000 deposit to the state in case of accidents\n3) must pass the driving test with 100%\n4) cannot drive any car that is worth more than $30,000. Cannot drive a car with less than 4 doors. This is based on statistics that a powerful car in the hands of an "inexperience" driver , are prone to having more accidents than someone at the age of 25. the cost limitations will also be based on the fact that someone at age 16 can't afford a $30,000 car anyway.\n\n\nWork from there.
292262
the onslaught of poverty & the expanding of the lower & middle classes, more of the family has to work earlier to stay level. the driving age should be lirradicated. anyone who can pass a driving test should be able to drive. accidents are caused by ppl not taking driving seriously which is an education problem. cell phone are another issue, 80% can drive well on a phone, the 20$ are gonna screw it up for the rest of us that do. i used to be a cab driver, almost all my business was on my cell. never had a problem with it.
501006
I say 18 if you ask me, yeah its still young i guess, but by that time, you should be finishing up H.S and have lived under parents law long enough. Just like you said, you can go fight wars and vote, thats a big responsibility right there. If you old enough to (die) and old enough to vote. then I think the legal age should be 18.. As far as drinking, let be real, if someone under age wants to drink they can get liq, its not that hard..
989120
yes. in fact all people should be tested yearly to keep their licenses. most people on the road don't deserve to be there.
68403
if i had my way i would raise it to age 21. some  young people drive like madmen. excessive speeding and not abiding the rules of the road.
155894
I think it should be.  That way we know inexperienced drivers are getting the proper training to become good drivers.\n\nHope that sounds right!!
369075
nope. \nage has nothing to do with responsability. there are 30 something years old people and they're still bad drivers!
981068
Responsibility can't be age related. I was married at 19 and my husband was 18. We both work with young people now and some of them behave responsibly and some still need to be nurtured. I know some adults who abuse alcohol and some young people who are sensible with drink. The same applies to voting, driving and sex. There will never be the right age of consent because some people are more or less responsible than others.
153420
I'm totally for teen driving restrictions..it gives you time to learn in a more restrictive way without so many distractions before you "go it alone", I am however not at all supportive of raising the driving age...I want my son home the first few years he's driving (when people are likelier to have accidents) so that by the time he's 'going it alone' he's got a few supervised years experience under his belt...plus, as your parents- we love you & want you safe :)