Living in California, public transportation is primarily non-existent, causing driving to be the only way of getting around. As the legal driving age is sixteen in California, by sophomore and junior years, we are urged to get a driver’s license out of necessity. Especially when others obtain their permit and start Driver’s Education as soon as they are allowed, peer pressure pushes us to do the same. Nevertheless, is now really the time? Are there actual benefits of getting one’s license as a teenager?
Considering the broad scope of all high school students, some need to afford a car or are busy with other activities. Other high schoolers may have the exact opposite reality, and once they are of age, they will be enticed by busy parents or guardians to drive themselves to and from places. Allowing teenagers to do so will also give them additional freedom and feel less restricted. They could also help their family-run arens, boosting productivity overall. But what are the benefits of waiting to get one’s license?
The main reason for waiting to get a driver’s license later is to reduce the chances of accidents. We’ve all been told that the teenage brain is constantly evolving, changing, maturing, and adapting from experience. While some of us may be more mature than others, we are all still creatures learning proper motor skills and impulse control. According to Triple-A, the rate of car-related injuries from crashes is double the amount for 16-17 year-olds than the 18-19 range. With such a surprising number jump, waiting to get your license until adulthood will be beneficial.
Another benefit of waiting to get one’s license is insurance cost. The UCLA Center for Developing Adolescents states, “[Teenagers] are more likely to take risks and receive endorphins when those risks were successfully executed.” For example, middle-aged drivers often slow down at yellow lights, while teenagers are likely to speed through the signal. That aspect of a teen’s mind causes insurance companies to set us at higher risk customers who will have to pay additional costs compared to a standard plan.
The average car weighs two tons. Having a teenager at a higher risk-taking control may not be the smartest thing. Don’t take my word for it; insurance companies have calculated the costs of insurance for teenagers and the rate of injury of a car crash to be 2x that of an average person. While a person may be in a situation where getting a license is necessary for their family’s needs, those with stable access to standard transportation should not feel “peer pressured” into getting their license as soon as possible.
