Raise driving age, lower drinking age
May 25th 2008 14:50
American teens have age markers for important times in their lives, and two of the most celebrated are when they begin to drive and when they reach 21. I think we have it wrong on both. America should raise the legal driving age to 18, and drop the legal drinking age to the same. The age of legality for various events has never been static, and has in fact differed by culture, time period, and state. The current ages are hardly locked in stone, and wouldn't be that hard to change. But would that be a good idea?
I suspect that my first suggestion will garner more support than the second. Raising the driving age can save money, gas, and lives. Of course there would have to be certain hardship exemptions. The qualifications for an exemption would have to be strict and enforced. It could not be allowed to become something began seeking just to gain a license. And just wanting a job shouldn't qualify one for an exemption. If someone under 18 wants to work, they would have to seek something within walking/biking distance or along public transportation lines. Only about one third of teens work paid jobs during the summer, so it isn't hard to imagine those wanting to work could do so without having to drive.
And what about the environmental benefits and gas savings? There is no need for High School parking lots to be jammed with student cars only used for going to school and running around afterward. We have a real energy crisis and we need to talk about real solutions and conservation measures. We need to drive less, and that's the bottom line. Raising the legal driving age is a good place to start.
What about the second suggestion? Lowering the drinking age is sure to find more favor with the young set than raising the driving age, that's for sure. But does the idea have merit? What do most under of those under 21 who drink do now? They go to a house, apartment, or other party place and drink cheap liquor that someone over 21 bought, sometimes to the point of passing out. Binge drinking is a bigger problem than ever. I think if drinking were allowed in public settings, there would actually be less of the really hard drinking. Giving responsibility will earn it in return. Of course there would be exceptions and this is by no means a cut and dried, no problems solution. But it is a fair and equitable start.
Overall I think it's a freedom issue. We in America say someone at 18 is old enough to drive, to be out of school, to vote, and to be in the military. But they must wait three more years to buy a beer legally. It just doesn't add up. Some may think it contradictory to wish to grant more freedom while also advocating restricting something else. I see them as skewered numbers not in line with reality. After all, which takes more responsibility and has more danger potential? Driving a car, or buying a cocktail?
Lowering the drinking age makes sense from a fairness and common sense standpoint. Raising the legal driving age will serve to help reduce America's growing dependence on foreign oil and help conserve resources while also encouraging kids to stay in school. Both seem to be no-brainers.
I suspect that my first suggestion will garner more support than the second. Raising the driving age can save money, gas, and lives. Of course there would have to be certain hardship exemptions. The qualifications for an exemption would have to be strict and enforced. It could not be allowed to become something began seeking just to gain a license. And just wanting a job shouldn't qualify one for an exemption. If someone under 18 wants to work, they would have to seek something within walking/biking distance or along public transportation lines. Only about one third of teens work paid jobs during the summer, so it isn't hard to imagine those wanting to work could do so without having to drive.
And what about the environmental benefits and gas savings? There is no need for High School parking lots to be jammed with student cars only used for going to school and running around afterward. We have a real energy crisis and we need to talk about real solutions and conservation measures. We need to drive less, and that's the bottom line. Raising the legal driving age is a good place to start.
What about the second suggestion? Lowering the drinking age is sure to find more favor with the young set than raising the driving age, that's for sure. But does the idea have merit? What do most under of those under 21 who drink do now? They go to a house, apartment, or other party place and drink cheap liquor that someone over 21 bought, sometimes to the point of passing out. Binge drinking is a bigger problem than ever. I think if drinking were allowed in public settings, there would actually be less of the really hard drinking. Giving responsibility will earn it in return. Of course there would be exceptions and this is by no means a cut and dried, no problems solution. But it is a fair and equitable start.
Overall I think it's a freedom issue. We in America say someone at 18 is old enough to drive, to be out of school, to vote, and to be in the military. But they must wait three more years to buy a beer legally. It just doesn't add up. Some may think it contradictory to wish to grant more freedom while also advocating restricting something else. I see them as skewered numbers not in line with reality. After all, which takes more responsibility and has more danger potential? Driving a car, or buying a cocktail?
Lowering the drinking age makes sense from a fairness and common sense standpoint. Raising the legal driving age will serve to help reduce America's growing dependence on foreign oil and help conserve resources while also encouraging kids to stay in school. Both seem to be no-brainers.
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Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
There is now talk of raising the driving age to 21 as a response to all the young hoons driving around making nuisances of themselves.
Not that this has anything to do with your post really. Suffice to say, I agree with you.
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
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Cinema Three
The 21 year old thing is rather perplexing, 'gee wizz you can go kill people for your country but god forbid you get drunk'.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
But are you going to face the same sort of opposition as you face with the whole gun thing?
Ah, you Americans. I loves ya, but really, you're a weird mob.
Comment by Chris Beazer
Drink Sound
Indefensible
Daily Dirt
Quotes4You
LDS Inspiration
As for the drinking age...I know people are going to drink regardless of the drinking age, but I can't help but think of 3 more years worth of people who can legally drink and then may end up driving.
Comment by Ahmed
techy.Bytes
Video Gamer Kids
Little Green Foosballs
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Comment by Johnny Come Lately
Jack's Back
Comment by Troy McNaughton
Secret Sydney
God's Advocate
*cough* Just to clarify... You get your learners (L's) at 16 in Aus, and your Provisional Licence (P's) at 17... and the drinking age is 18...
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Oh well. I stand corrected.
Comment by Troy McNaughton
Secret Sydney
God's Advocate
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Troy McNaughton
Secret Sydney
God's Advocate
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
ah, i'm confused!
Comment by Troy McNaughton
Secret Sydney
God's Advocate
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i think one of the best ways to stop drink driving is public transport, affordable taxi services, rewards (ie free soda) for sober designated drivers, and venues providing courtesy buses at closing . . . i dont think young people are the main cause of drunk driving so solutions should impact people of all ages
also i wonder why the legal driving age isnt in line with the legal working age (thats 15 in Australia)