Question

Passage B: Select Facts and Statistics on Teen Driving

Learning to drive is an important milestone in the life of a teen. Driving is a complex task requiring the driver to perform several things at the same time. It requires being able to process and accurately evaluate the driving situation, to develop appropriate responses to minimize risks, and to gain experience in predicting how other drivers will react.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of fatalities of 15- to 20-year-olds. In Georgia, in 2005, 136 young drivers (ages 15-20) were killed, and an additional 193 people died as a result of a crash involving a young driver. In 2008, 3,500 drivers (ages 15-20) were killed and an additional 350,000 were injured in automobile crashes nationally.Research shows that in order for young drivers to remain accident-free, parents must model safe driving behaviors and invest in meaningful instruction and practice over a long period of time to build skills and habits in young drivers. Parents and guardians are encouraged to take an active role in educating their teen drivers. Additionally, the importance of being familiar with and enforcing the teen driving laws, and modeling good driving habits should be a goal of all adult drivers.
The fatality rate in Georgia led to the implementation of the restricted driver’s license in Georgia. The restrictions associated with the Class D Georgia driver’s license include the following:
• No driving between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. (effective July 1, 2014). No exceptions.
• During the first six-month period immediately following the issuance of a Class D Georgia driver’s license, the Class D license holder shall not drive a motor vehicle upon the public roads, streets or highways of this state when any other passenger in the vehicle is not a member of the driver’s immediate family.
• During the second six-month period immediately following the issuance of a Class D license, the Class D license holder shall not drive a motor vehicle upon the public roads, streets or highways of this state when more than one other passenger in the vehicle (who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family) is less than 21 years of age.
• After the second six-month period, any Class D license holder shall not drive a motor vehicle upon the public roads, streets or highways of this state when more than three other passengers in the vehicle (who are not members of the driver’s immediate family) are less than 21 years of age.
• Joshua’s Law - On or after January 1, 2007, any 16-year-old who obtains an initial Class D license must have completed a driver education course approved by the Department of Driver Services and must have completed a cumulative total of at least forty (40) hours of other supervised driving experience, including at least six (6) hours at night.
Once all of these requirements have been met, the hope is that Georgia’s young drivers will become more responsible adult drivers, therefore saving many lives.

Given the teen driving statistics reported in Passage B, are the requirements for obtaining an unrestricted driver’s license in Georgia reasonable?
Write an argumentative essay that addresses this question.

Answer 1

Teen driving statistics reported in Passage B are alarming, and it is understandable that Georgia has implemented strict requirements for obtaining an unrestricted driver's license. However, the question remains: are these requirements reasonable?

It is clear from the statistics that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of fatalities among 15- to 20-year-olds. In Georgia alone, 136 young drivers (ages 15-20) were killed in 2005, and an additional 193 people died as a result of a crash involving a young driver. Furthermore, in 2008, 3,500 drivers (ages 15-20) were killed and an additional 350,000 were injured in automobile crashes nationally. These statistics show that something must be done to decrease the number of accidents involving young drivers.

The restrictions associated with the Class D Georgia driver's license are stringent. For example, during the first six-month period immediately following the issuance of a Class D Georgia driver's license, the Class D license holder cannot drive a motor vehicle upon the public roads, streets, or highways of this state when any other passenger in the vehicle is not a member of the driver's immediate family. During the second six-month period, the Class D license holder can only have one other passenger in the vehicle who is less than 21 years of age. After the second six-month period, the Class D license holder can only have three other passengers in the vehicle who are less than 21 years of age.

Some might argue that these restrictions are too severe and infringe upon the rights of young drivers. However, it is important to remember that driving is a privilege, not a right. The restrictions associated with the Class D Georgia driver's license are in place to protect not only the young driver but also other drivers on the road. By limiting the number of passengers in the vehicle, for example, Georgia is reducing the risk of distraction for the young driver. By restricting driving during certain hours, Georgia is reducing the risk of fatigue-related accidents.

The implementation of Joshua's Law, which requires 16-year-olds to complete a driver education course and at least 40 hours of other supervised driving experience, is also a reasonable requirement. These courses provide young drivers with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate a motor vehicle safely. The requirement for supervised driving experience ensures that young drivers have ample opportunity to practice driving in a safe and controlled environment before venturing out on their own.

In conclusion, the requirements for obtaining an unrestricted driver's license in Georgia are reasonable. The statistics reported in Passage B demonstrate the need for strict regulations to protect young drivers and other drivers on the road. By implementing restrictions on passenger numbers and driving hours, as well as requiring driver education courses and supervised driving experience, Georgia is taking a responsible approach to reducing the number of accidents involving young drivers.