Some people think the best way to improve road safety is to increase the minimum legal age for driving cars and motorcycles. To what extent do you agree or disagree?t

There has been an ongoing debate about the most effective strategies to improve road

safety

. Some policy experts believe increasing the minimum legal

age

for driving motor vehicles is the most effective way to curb accidents.

While

this

approach may appear to be a logical solution, I strongly disagree with

this

perspective.

This

essay will critically evaluate

this

issue, exploring broader factors that contribute to traffic

safety

. One of the main arguments for raising the minimum driving

age

is that young

drivers

are statistically more likely to be involved in crashes. Adolescents are often prone to impulsivity, leading to risky behaviours

such

as speeding or drunk driving.

However

,

this

argument oversimplifies the problem by attributing high collision rates primarily to

age

.

For instance

, in Finland, a country with stringent driver education programs, the accident rate among young motorists remains low, suggesting that

age

alone is not the determining factor in vehicle

safety

. In fact, research has shown that a significant number of accidents are caused by older

drivers

, often

due to

insufficient

safety

awareness or poor decision-making.

Additionally

, inadequate traffic infrastructure,

such

as poorly maintained roads or the absence of pedestrian walkways, can increase the likelihood of incidents.

For example

, in many urban areas, the absence of dedicated cycling lanes forces cyclists onto busy roads, exacerbating the risk of collisions.

Therefore

, focusing solely on the

age

of

drivers

ignores the broader, systemic issues that affect transportation

safety

. To genuinely enhance road

safety

, I contend that policymakers should adopt a more comprehensive approach.

Firstly

, governments should prioritize public education campaigns that target all motorists, not just young people.

For example

, governments can broadcast TV commercials showing the stories of families who have lost loved ones, emphasizing the devastating consequences of reckless driving.

Moreover

, investment in infrastructure—

such

as safer pedestrian pathways, cycling lanes, and efficient public transportation systems—would reduce the need for car use and create a safer environment for all commuters. In conclusion,

while

restricting the minimum

age

of

drivers

might seem like a straightforward solution, it is ultimately a superficial fix. The root causes of road

safety

problems, including inadequate infrastructure and a lack of driver awareness, must be addressed to see a meaningful reduction in traffic-related incidents.