By Ryan Burnett, Staff Writer
Driving is one of the greatest privileges for a teenager. There is no feeling comparable to turning 15 and 9 months, obtaining your learner’s permit, and beginning the exciting driving process.
But that begs the question: should the age to get a learner’s permit be raised? Although it may be nice to get your learner’s permit when you’re 15, there are many potential drawbacks.
One of the positives of having a permit at an early age is that the teenager can acquire driving experience earlier, and practice being a responsible driver. It also allows for the new driver to drive with their parents while they are still at home.
When you have your permit, not only do you have to do 60 hours of driving, but after that you have to have your permit for 9 months once you get it. So if the age were raised, you would be 18 or 19 when you get your driver’s license.
It is also cool to be driving your own car in high school on your own everyday without your parents. This is one of the greatest freedoms when it comes to being a teen.
With teens going off to college, they may need to drive around campus, meaning they would need a full license by this time, not giving them the right amount of time to learn how to drive could affect their ability to travel in the future.
Junior Chris Moore says that the learner’s permit age should not be raised because “it is good to learn from a young age and you’re not at risk, especially when you’re with an adult.” On the other hand, Science teacher, Mr. Clifford, believes that the age “should be raised by one year because with age comes more experience and more maturity.”
Junior Harrison McCarthy said that “the permit age should be raised because people realize they’re not bulletproof.” On the other hand Junior Megan Green stated “the permit age should not be raised because people are more mature.”
With many seniors, juniors, and even sophomores driving here at River Hill, students have mixed opinions on whether or not the learner’s permit age should be raised. However, There is nothing we can truly do to make the roads 100% safe, and everyone will be a new driver at some point.