Question

WRITING Justify an Opinion

Directions: Write an essay about a school-related issue as if you will give it to a school principal. Provide your position along with appropriate supporting reasons.

You are going to write at least two paragraphs in English about an important issue.
• Think about what you will write before you begin writing.
• State your position clearly and give two or more reasons to support your position.
• Each paragraph should include at least three complete sentences.
• Check your writing for correct grammar, capital letters, punctuation, and spelling.

Prompt
Most states allow people to get a driver’s license at the age of 16. Some people feel that 16 is much too young for the responsibility that comes with driving a car and that teenagers should not be allowed to drive until the age of 18. In your opinion, at what age should people be allowed to drive, and why?

Answer 1

Dear Principal,

I am writing to express my opinion on the issue of the legal driving age. While the majority of states permit 16-year-olds to acquire a driver's license, I believe that this is an overly young age for such a significant responsibility. In my opinion, the driving age should be increased to 18 years old.

One reason for my belief is that many teenagers lack the necessary level of maturity and responsibility required to safely operate a vehicle. Driving a car requires not only technical skills but also judgment and decision-making abilities. As a high school student, I have witnessed many of my peers engage in risky behaviors such as texting while driving or speeding. By raising the driving age to 18, we could allow young people more time to mature and develop the decision-making skills necessary for safe driving.

Another reason for my position is that accidents involving teenage drivers are disproportionately high. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers aged 16-19 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than those over 20. By raising the driving age to 18, we could potentially reduce the number of accidents and fatalities involving teenage drivers.

In conclusion, I believe that the legal driving age should be raised to 18. Doing so would allow young people more time to mature and develop the necessary skills for safe driving and potentially reduce the number of accidents involving teenage drivers. Thank you for considering my opinion on this important issue.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Step-by-step explanation:

Use at your own discretion.