For the first time, the streets of Belmont have seen drivers in the graduating class of 2028. And, as a Form IV student, it is fascinating to see my peers partake in an activity that is so closely tied to adulthood. In fact, all across Massachusetts, many 16-year-olds celebrate their birthdays by indulging in this newfound privilege. For them, the opportunity to acquire a learner’s permit and Junior Operators License (JOL) represents their growing independence, as well as offering them access to more social events. Recently, whether the minimum age requirement for driving should be increased from 16 to 18 has been a popular topic. The option for those 16-17 to drive has its benefits, but it can also endanger the lives of many.
The introduction of driving to people ages 16 and 17 is statistically detrimental to themselves as well as those around them. According to the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, 25% of 16-year-olds and 44% of 17-year-olds drive. Despite the fact that these percentages are lower than all other age groups, the crash rates of these drivers is nearly double those of drivers 18-19, and greater than 4.5 times those of drivers between the ages 30-69. The restrictions that are placed on drivers with learner’s permits and JOLs are designed to minimize such accidents, but they are clearly not doing enough. How do teen drivers get into so many accidents even with these safety measures? It is simply because many teenage drivers between 16 and 17 do not have the rational thinking skills to make the correct choices while driving. Many people know that the human brain’s prefrontal cortex, the region responsible for decision-making, does not fully develop until the age of 25. This impacts teen drivers greatly, and is the cause for many accidents. 18-year-olds are also somewhat affected by this late development of the brain, but scientists have found that their brains are barely distinguishable from an adult’s fully developed brain. This means that the prefrontal cortex undergoes significant fine-tuning between 17-18, and is used more effectively. Meanwhile, those 17 and under base their actions more on the limbic system, the region that controls emotional and behavioral responses, rather than the logic of the prefrontal cortex. Although student drivers can memorize all the regulations and proper practices, whether they follow them in crucial moments may depend on whether their actions are governed by their limbic system or their prefrontal cortex.
The teenage brain’s development can be sped up and evolved in a more righteous direction through experiences. In order for people to grow, facing problems and getting used to stress is important. The younger drivers are when they begin facing difficulties on the road, the more the lessons learned are ingrained. Using past experiences, both good and bad, they are able to make more rational judgments on the road as time passes; this remains true as long as young drivers don’t panic in the moment and end up relying on their limbic systems.
Solo driving for 16 and 17-year-olds also offers convenience. For many high school students, driving allows them to quickly commute to their schools, sports, and jobs. This saves the student’s time, and the time and effort of the parents who would otherwise be in charge of transportation. Additionally, any fees used on rideshare are eliminated (although new costs may appear for gas, car repairs, etc.). Once again, solo driving can be deadly if the teen makes irrational decisions, and so it is paramount that they understand the risks of driving if they are doing it for convenience’s sake.
Finally, keeping the minimum driving age at 16 can ease the transition to adulthood. Once people turn 18, they are suddenly given a lot of freedom. These include the rights to vote, sign contracts, join the military, own property, and even marry. Most also graduate from high school and begin college around that time. If so many new responsibilities and opportunities are already being given to 18-year-olds in today’s society, prohibiting them from learning the crucial skill of driving beforehand can overload them with work when they turn 18. Gaining the responsibilities and freedom of an adult all at once can be difficult to manage for many, and dragging the process out can help ease the transition.
If the age requirement for driving is increased to 18, it would ensure that all drivers are at least biologically capable of rational thinking. However, it would also deprive drivers of time to hone their skills and gain experience on top of reducing convenience and making the transition to adulthood harder. The best balance between the two options would be to keep the minimum age requirement at 16 but increase the requirements to obtain JOLs, make the supervised period longer, and ensure that the student knows the risks of driving.
