Comments on: Raising the Legal Driving Age in Massachusetts

By: Rose

Rose — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:35:18 +0000

if anything they should make driver’s ed longer, not raise the driving age. it doesnt make sense. im 15. i will graduate when im 17,so if they raise th riving age to 18, then i’ll have very little experience behind the wheel when i go to college. i also think there should be some law about maximum driving age. one of my friends’ grandparents can barely see over the steering wheel. half the time she relies on the power lines to stay on the road. how come she can drive and i cant???

By: Deion

Deion — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:13:02 +0000

Im turning 14in a few days and i just moved from Georgia to Mass and in Georgia the permitt age is 15 and the licensce age is 16. I think that is a reasonable age for those levels, considering the fact that most parents would not enjoy driving their juniors and seniors to school, and frankly, yelling out the window “Have a nice day sweetie! Mommy loves you!” to a 16 year old is over-the-top embarrassing. So I personally believe that the permitt and licensce age should be LOWERED. If we teach the younger society (my generation) the dangers of driving in a way that will not make them scared to drive, but want to drive safe, then they will be not only a good, but a safe driver. Its all about planting the information into their mind. if students can learn that driving isnt something that is to be played around with, then they’re will be less teenage deaths. Maybe if Driving Instructors would show examples of little things that caused huge consequences (i.e. Luke Abbate), the student will learn not to play around with not only driving, but their life.

I just read a comment that just sparked another reason why the age should infact be lowered. In South Carolina, The permit age is 14 1/2 and the licensce age is 15 1/2. And there are less teen deaths there than there are here. I believe the reason for that is because at a younger age, driving would be a bit of an intimidation, making that teen more cautious and basically removing the idea that reckless driving isnt dangerous. This is a good example of why the age should be lowered. that is my opinion.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:57:54 +0000

For safety reasons, i think the age should be raised. For common sense, it should stay. i didnt believe it, but there are some states where the age is even younger. those states should raise the age, before we do.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:41:48 +0000

hey everyone, whoever reads this, please think twice about changing the age. Some kids arn’t mature, i’ll give you that. and cars weren’t made the way they were back in the day. I have been working with my dad repairing cars since i could pick up a wrench. He has taught me all about cars. what they can and can’t do. I am so close to getting my license. I know there are so many kids out there just like me. wanting freedom. Can’t some of you older people remember when you turned 16? now please tell me you didn’t feel so… alive. all i ask is that if they decide to have a vote on changing the driving age, support me and all of the others out there just like me.

By: suzanne

suzanne — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:56:08 +0000

Mass.

By: Ken Savage

Ken Savage — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:59:51 +0000

@suzanne - Right and thankfully they will get the more experience they need. by the way what state are your kids driving in?

By: suzanne

suzanne — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:17:18 +0000

@Craig - I have three children; one who got his license at 16 1/2, a daughter who just got her license this summer and a second daughter who will turn 16 next month. The requirement changes that occurred Sept 2007; increased Drivers Ed driving requirement, the requriement of parent/guardian to attend 2 hours of Drivers Ed and the changes in the JOL are important steps in teaching teens to be good drivers. Accidents happen more to teens (teens represent 7% of drivers, yet 15% of fatal accidents) because they are inexperienced and lack good driving judgement. They also have more distractions (cell phones ringing and texting, Ipods, music, friends) and there are far more cars on the road, furthermmore there are more traffic obstacles (breakdown lane on 128). In order for them to become more experienced they should spend more time behind the wheel with an alert, experienced driver for more time. Perhaps we should be considering allowing them to get the permit at age 15 1/2, but require that they have a permit for 12 or even 18 months before they get a JOL. Then have a restricted license until they are 18.

By: Ken Savage

Ken Savage — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:22:01 +0000

@mob333333: but dont you think there's a problem with kids not getting enough driving time at 16? and driving is a privilege and NOT a right in America

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:33:13 +0000

This website is homo. It dosent help any with my project

By: mob333333

mob333333 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:04:45 +0000

hte drivig age should stay as is because it takes away are rights as 16 year olds