Should the Driving Age be raised in the usa to 18 instead of 16?
482444
Hmm, that's an odd question.  I've never thought about it before, but it seems like children between 16-18 get in a lot of accidents.  Of course, being two years older and being just as inexperienced is the same problem.  I don't think that the age should be changed, but I DO think that driver's education should be manditory to taking a driver's test.  That would eliminate, or at least reduce, the risk involved in driving youths.
490854
The 65+ age group has the highest percentage of voter participation of any age demographic; therefore politicians will do ANYTHING to avoid angering this group. Any politician suggesting changes that would put senior drivers at risk of losing their driving privileges (even for good reason) is in danger of being voted out of office.\n\nThis is a state issue, not a federal one. Although some states have periodic testing it is very difficult to get into law. The only way that this would ever even go to a vote is by referendum, but as I already said, this same age group would be voting against the measure and it would be very hard pass.
92965
It's not just over 60, but everyone should be tested every so often. Five years, 8 years, 10 years, I don't care. I see too many people of all ages that pick up bad habits that they need something to refresh them on the proper way to drive.
472222
Society would be much better without the young.    They have little experiance and brains.  They kill each other in their cars and drugs and guns.   Would you go to an 18 year old doctor?   Hire a thirteen year old attorney?   Have a 20 yr. old President?\n\nYes sprinkle, a highway covered with blood from the crazy teen drivers.   Real smooth
1162716
I think it should be treated just like beer and unfortified wine are (in the US).  Taxed, sure. Age-restricted. Available through retail stores (not ABC/state stores).  Available in bars/pubs/etc. And, just like beer and wine, individuals should be allowed to produce up to a certain amount at home annually.  DWI laws already cover driving offenses.\n\nOh, and revenues would roll in from production and sales. Some depressed economies would turn around and become boom economies.  Tax revenues would be enormous.  PLUS!!!  We'd save billions on police, courts and jails by not arresting and jailing people for pot!!!!!!!!!
50719
You can fight for your country (volunteer) at age 18 because that is the age of majority when a person is deemed old enough to sign binding contracts (to buy a car or join the Army, etc.).\n\nYou can not drink (and drive) until you are 21 for several reasons.  If drinking was legal at say 18, it would be freely available to friends (in high school!) below 18, and lead to far more drinking/driving accidents.  It often does anyway among those who ignore the law.  Driving for many aged 18 or less is a new skill and alcohol can wipe out a new skill much easier than a well-ingrained skill, clouding judgement and coordination, leading to serious injury and death for friends and perfect strangers who merely got in the way.  The record speaks for itself.\n\nIn a perfect world, no one would abuse alcohol and there would be no war.  Those who drink beer illegally are also less apt to fight for their country - because they do not value the rule of law.\n\nFor those who survive to age 21, there will be plenty of time to drink beer and serve their country, as they choose.
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.
383373
I don't think so. I don't think one should be allowed to do a bunch of the things that are legal at 18...Voting, Smoking, Entering the military.. I think that at least when your 21 you are mature enough to handle these kind of things.
364815
Pretty much it's 21 through out this nation and I would keep it the same or raise it to 23.  \n\nI see these 19 - 21 year olds drinking and being stupid.  Just last week 3 19 year old teenagers where drinking and driving.  Guess what... they crashed into a tree and all three are now gone.  \n\nIt's stupid stuff.  I feel bad for these parents who lost their kids.\n\n\nBut I believe no matter what the drinking age is, kids will be kids and experiment with alcohol, smoking and drugs.  They are no different than we were kids.  We did the same crap, but somehow survived it.  \n\n\nLooking back at it now, I can see how foolish and stupid I was with drinking, smoking and drugs.  Thank God I came to realize what I was doing was not good for me and straighten my butt out very quickly.
372047
I agree...maybe we should institute mandatory service, like they have in Israel.  When you're 18, you go into the service and serve 2 years.  Make every American earn the rights that they take for granted.
175260
calm down, there are too many young drivers out there.  take a drivers ed class.
75414
It's primarily about being mature enough to make the right decisions for yourself. In my state, it is 21. Even at 21 I know I made some pretty crappy decisions about drinking, but I can guarantee they were better than the decisions I would have made at 16. We have so many kids that drink and drive. They think they are invincible! \n\nAnother reason could deal with body weight. Your body can tolerate a bit more alcohol depending on your body weight. \n\nAgain, each person is different. Some 16 year olds are a lot more mature than some 30 year olds I know. Some are also a lot LARGER than people that are older. But the law has to find a compromise.....and thus sets an age limit for what they believe is in the public's best interest. Even then.........we still find that it does not alway deter kids from drinking.....driving......destroying their lives and others.
378700
I dont' feel there really is an official age.  You could 18 because its when the US government has classified someone is no long a minor, but if you go to somewhere else in the world the age would be different.  \n\nIf you want a 'official' per the government answer, I'd say 18 as thats when someone is no longer a minor.  But think about it, you can vote, join the army and die for the country but the government wont let you go buy a beer after a hard day.  Seem logical?  Not to me.  \n\nThe US is also in the minority when it comes to a stiff and high drinking age.  Kids start drinking wine at dinner at young ages in other countries and are even allowed in bars, sometimes before they are even 14 or 16.  Those countries also don't have the problems with 'under age' drinking, drunk drivers, and binge drinking by minors that we do.  Just goes to show what a little trust and freedom can do when you don't put an 'official' age on when a person is an adult.
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? :)
857688
ok.....drinking till ur 21......many teens are gonna drink no matter what....\n\nwear your seatbelt...yea right like americans are actually gonna listen to that one..... and finally\n\nno driving unless you have a license or permit......do u seriously think teens now a days are gonna listen to that??? no matter what the consequence is they are gonna do it...\n\n\n\n\nsry for the sucky answers...i do agree with it tho...if i think of any better ones ill let u know....
1049392
No.Children do not understand how fragile life is and have no regard for others. A car can be a weapon when used improperly and that is why the number of teenage deaths from driving have increased over the years.
940168
16 is too young.\nRaise the age to 18, when they are all legally responsible for ALL their own actions.\nHow about that for starters?