Raising The Legal Driving Age To 18 In Illinois

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Raising the legal driving age to 18 in Illinois

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Introduction

There have been queries that have been raised on whether the age at which teens should be

termed legit to own a driving license or participate in driving activities should be raised to 18 or

not. Various states support the case while others are greatly against the calling due to their issues

of concern based on mortality rate for teen drivers and the fact that there exist parameters that

legalize the age at which youths should be legally be considered grownups and responsible

citizens of a given country. There has been lots of concern in the state of Illinois on this

controversies with most arguing that most teens under the age of 18 years will be irresponsible

due to peer pressure and youthful spirit that urges them to engage in crazy and uncalled for

activities such as “the bad boy crazy ride” watched in movies and other internet generated films

of which has a great theme of controlled experimentation of professional drivers and actors doing

fictional characters for the sake of video shoot and filming. In most cases, youths don’t have the

fictional thought in their practices, and they often want to compete and eventually emerge the

best in almost everything. In most cases, youths often try even the things they cannot be able to

handle. They will go out on crazy hikes and activities such as mountain climbing, ocean diving

and other dangerous recreational activities that might trigger fatal accidents and demise of

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individual due to ignorance and peer influence. There have been reported cases of death, and

critical accidental conditions on Illinois roads whereby reckless driving causes 70% or teenage

show offs and malicious stunts (Douglass, pp. 347-366).

As provided by the British laws, an adult is granted privileges upon reaching the age of 18 years

supposedly proposing that driving should not be left behind as any exception whatsoever. This

statement is still controversial since some individuals argue that any driver is not let loose on

roads before testing his/her driving skills and proficiency in the road using calling for exemplary

consultation and legal procedures in coming up with the final decision on whether the age should

be raised or not ( Barry et al, p. 609).

This case study seeks to support the theme that age for driving in Illinois should be raised to 18.

1. Regulation laws

It is outlined in the state of Illinois law that a teenager should be licensed to be a driver at the age

of 18. Though some institutions guarantee a license by the age of 17 with a close supervision of

the granted driver, the State law defines it otherwise. As stipulated by the National Center for

Statistics and Analysis and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, youths

under the age of 18 years have been seen to be irresponsible drivers faced by usual traffic

mistakes such as over speeding, carrying more passengers and use of cell phones while driving

hence diverting their attention for road signs, rules and regulations (Barry et al., p. 879).

Illinois Secretary of State authorizes licensing of a first-time driver. The secretariat provides for

an exchange of driving licenses to all applicants who reside in Illinois and have come of age

provided for taking the first-time license. Renewal of similar documents is done within 30 days

of settlement into the place. This should be done only to individuals with proof of documents of

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prior ownership. All licensed drivers from Illinois for the Graduated Drivers’ License (GDL)

should own learners permit, evidence of completing a driving program with authentication and

support from referees as well as a provisional license that proves an individual has a restricted

driving license to be fully granted the final permit of a full unrestricted driver in Illinois.

Though there exists other provisions for teenage drivers such as learners permit at the age of 15

and provisional license at age 16, the only legit driver in Illinois must have passed all other

stages with the documents to be granted a full license for tracking on the state's roads. With this

strict measure all the way, it is even harder for young people below age 18 to cope up with since

at learners age, for example, an individual is expected to carry instructional permit all the time

failure to which one loses eligibility to graduate as a driver (Villadangos et al. pp. 125-127).

There is no permission to text, call or even engage in any form of attraction elsewhere that will

lead to eventual diversion of attention from instructions given by the tutors involved. There is no

guaranteed driving at late night and early morning for safety reasons. Most teenagers will find

this extremely difficult for once in a while a phone will ring, or a pop-up menu will display some

message from a close ally tempting one to respond which is unlawful act as per the secretariat’s

supervisions.

2. Saving lives

Researchers from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety clearly points out raising the driving

age limit to the hat, raising the age of driving license ownership to 18 years will save lives as

compared to when the age is below the “responsible adult” limit. According to the institution’s

President Adrian Lund, raising the age to 18 has seen a great reduction in the number of fatalities

realized on United States roads which majorly can be attributed to strict measures outlined in

most driving schools and corporate instructions offering similar services. As a matter of fact,

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Adrian does not seek to change the federal legislative laws but seeks to enforce the fact that

raising the age greatly saves lives and reduces road carnage. Though Linnea Greci disapproved

the argument, Adrian has a higher stake in this with massive support from parents with children

in higher grades arguing that most kids are irresponsible and reckless at their teen years hence

reinforcing Adrian arguments.

Recently, the state of Illinois enacted driving reforms for teenagers with claims of the 2006 youth

series "Teens at the Wheel" program that greatly reduced road carnage and fatalities reported.

The program reported that doubling up the number of adult-supervised epochs during driving

lessons reduced recklessness greatly in driving and promoted observation of road rules leading to

reduced death of youth drivers within the first seven months of effecting the change. Arguably,

there is a reduction in deaths on the road by a great percentage despite the usual record holding

that the number still stands at five thousand teenage deaths every year (Villadangos et al., p.

317).

The example the institution uses supreme glaringly is New Jersey, the lone public with a least

driver's warrant age of 17. The account cited a reading from 1992-96 where the degree of crash-

related demises amongst 16- and 17-year-olds stood at 18 per 100,000 in New Jersey, in contrast

with 26 per 100,000 in Connecticut, with a least driver's warrant age of 16 and at least 4 months.

The description also exhibited that the New Jersey casualty rate decreased pointedly for

adolescences after a graduated accrediting law was endorsed. Amongst the state's 17-year-old

motorists, the proportion in disastrous crashes plummeted 33 percent subsequently the law was

endorsed. This greatly compares to the rules of Illinois driving rules that comparably supports

inclusivity of adult and responsible drivers which are proclaimed to be the ultimate necessity of

reducing road carnage and fatalities on roads (William R, p. 427).

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3. Road user discipline

Raising the age of driving to 18 years will instill road discipline and user conduct. It is evident

that most young road users tend to have a do or die ride on public roads in the name of having

fun. It is not once you will find youths, for example, competing on who is the best driver

amongst a given group. As a matter of fact, these occasions often happen when most individuals

are under the influence of alcohol and other stimulants, a rampant behavior common in young

drivers. When individuals are driving for tours and adventure, they tend to misuse the road

basically due to sheer malice and ignorance triggered by excitement. In such occasions, there are

increased chances of accidents and eventual deaths which could have been controlled when road

users observed road discipline. Comparably, older people are always on tight schedules and

programs and often don’t get time for recreation hence they spend most of their time in offices

and workplace as compared to young people who have breaks in between lectures and class work

providing sufficient time to try anything that comes their way. Untrained drivers get into the

practice of reckless driving in the aim of showing their prowess in the driving skills amongst

their colleagues. This leads to poor road use with little or no observation of road signs and

regulations. If the age for issuing driving licenses to people of the state can be raised to 18 and

over, there is a great tendency of having responsible drivers in our roads thus reducing

consequences that can be realized through poor road use (William R, p. 613).

The “racer boy attitude” has seen the demise of most individuals in roads. It eventually arises

from uninformed decision to engage in driving activities without the tutelage of adults or parents

supervision. Current statistics shows that most road users who fail to cope up with driving skills

due to lack of preparedness and peer pressure are the young people between the ages of thirteen

to seventeen. At this age, most youths are under the adolescent stage where everything is termed

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worth trying with no consultations from relevant authorities. Individuals at this level do not take

orders from any senior people with even breaking of already set rules as a matter of seeing what

will be the consequences and to what extensions are these consequences. In this process of trying

out things, it is not advisable for young people to engage in dangerous activities such as driving

on busy/public roads since their level of understanding and execution of commands is still tender

and not bold enough to cope up with the stress realized on roads.

Apparently, older and responsible people are afraid of losing their life through road carnage with

worries of their relatives and occupation whereabouts which is not the case with young people. It

is clear that over speeding is mostly a common thing among the youths as opposed to older

people. The underage (below 18 years) can only worsen this situation with the fact that most of

them are rushing on unnecessary programs such as night clubs and catch up with friends.

Licensing underage drivers will deteriorate mutual-driving on roads making the situation even

worse due to eventual traffic jams and hectic noise on vehicles hooting and loud music playing

from the music systems which is a must have for the teenage drivers ( Pressley, p. 384).

The issue of environmental growth comes in handy. Some teenagers are usually in dire need of

freedom of movement and expression. In this case, they eventually end up looking for any means

possible to avoid observing strict programs from their parent who always drives them to school

or workplace. Some will even opt to renovate a family’s old car to fix the case for better or

worse. In such occasions, the old cars often develop mechanical problems which might be

difficult for the young people to handle or pay for mechanics to fix hence continue using them

despite their faulty being. This greatly contributes to air pollution as a result of smoke emissions

or oil spillage from leaking oil tanks. To most people’s surprise, this is not any worry for the

youths; provided the vehicle accomplishes the intended purpose: transport

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When underage, youths are denied licenses they eventually opt for an alternative way out of the

fix. These forces them to seek for public transport hence reducing the air pollution realized from

vehicles on the roads. The rate of climate change and global warming will eventually decline

with time as a result of reduced faulty cars and the general number of vehicles that gradually

leads to accumulation of greenhouse gasses which eventually has detrimental effects on the

ozone layer, respiratory complications, and climatic change (Joyce C et al., pp. 213-245).

4. Self-attitude and settling down

Teenagers under the age of 18 are usually arrogant, mild with bad temperament due to anxiety

and mixed reactions of various unfolding events in their transition into adulthood. Most teens

have “I win you lose” attitude or “my way or no way” one. This is critically detrimental to their

understanding of most instructions for they will do and understand things the way they see and

want them to be like. In most scenarios, youths at this age develop fear and timidity in executing

expected tasks while learning how to drive. These behavioral changes are effective limitations

towards the understanding of key concepts required in the realization of professional driving. In

most US states including Wisconsin and Illinois have adopted a “weaning” program for young

drivers by which the drivers are left to have an additional 60 hours driving lessons in bad

weather under the tutelage of an experienced driver. This still does not guarantee one a direct

permit to trail anyhow on public roads but instead assures a teenage local driving freedom

especially on short distances with a close supervision of an experienced driver. This system has

played a fundamental factor in producing reputable drivers over a period of consistent practice

and road rules observation (Barry et al., p. 117).

It is evident that most young people at this stage are great friends of the social networks and

media. Often at times, they might not concentrate on what the instructor is teaching but instead

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will keep their friends warm with chats and lengthy conversations on what is going on and the

current situation everyone of them is at that given moment. In such scenarios, it is of the world as

a whole chance that the subsequent driver is half baked and does not even understand some basic

principles that are used on roads. Although there exists strict warnings, dos and don'ts in all

learning institutions, it is very difficult to completely get the full attention of the youngsters who

are entangled in a “mysterious” world of knowledge and seeking of a self-space where freedom

to do what one wants in guaranteed.

Advocating for an additional age from driving classes will even make the situation better for the

youngsters who will take more time to perfect the art and skill of driving. Starting the driving

classes at an early age is greatly encouraged in Illinois but under a strict supervision of

experienced and drivers with the sound mind and informed conscience which leads to

professional drivers over time. Giving instructions in small packages is greatly encouraged for

young people who will have time to consult with their colleagues on the taught lessons on the

same. This is important when done at a particular learning center as compared to when a teenage

is taught singly by a parent or a personal driver. Licensing of group taught students is equally

relevant for it maximizes utilization of learned skills in real field hence polishing on issues not

well understood during class work (Glassner et al., pp. 197-319).

5. Health issues

Part of the reasons that licensing age should be raised to 18 in Illinois is that triggers health

complications. Being one of the US States with the highest number of graduates driving cars

especially Taxis, the State has realized several impacts of driving to individual health. There

have been reported cases of obesity and cardiovascular ailments in teen drivers in the last ten

years. According to Illinois Department of public health, the number of obese teens has increased

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from 32% to 66% in less than 8 years in the United States (Fell et al., pp. 236-239). This

doubling of obese teens has been triggered by among other factors early licensing of youths who

are below the age of 17 of which most of them prefer self-drive to work or to school hence

encouraging laziness and decline in body activities. This leads to cardiovascular related disease

such as hypertension due to coronary thrombosis and high cholesterol in the blood. Lack of

exercise influence a great deal of normal body functioning in which failure to configure the

actual requirements of daily metabolic activities of the body, piling on calories and cholesterol

will eventually occur leading to blockage of arteries and veins hence reducing the pace at which

blood is expected to pump around the body. Arteriosclerosis and cardiac attack have been

witnessed in youths who take the little time to exercise and much time to travel and indulge in

fast food as they engage in their journey (James C et al., pp. 233-243).

The current state of obesity and heart-related diseases for the youths in Illinois is astonishing due

to graduate engagement in taxi business and early driving hence even short walking distances are

covered by vehicles thus promoting boredom and eventual decline in general body performance.

The United States generally spends 29 million dollars annually to cure such ailments and related

diseases. This is a thing that can be curbed if only the teens observe their diets and engage their

youthful stage with games and body fitting exercises that will eventually encourage good health

and healthy lifestyle.

Moreover, most drivers are often challenged by neuromuscular diseases and related ailments. In

instances of muscle retraction or pulling a physical distortion might occur due to long hours of

sitting with few body parts being engaged in exercises such as the hands, neck region, and the

legs. Teenagers are not an exception in this more so if an individual is obsessed fast learning

hence taking the prolonged time to perfect the skills. It is equally evident that most teens will

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take their parents cars after work or a long day sitting in class with problematic schedules just to

show off around friends and colleagues their level of “multitasking.” This eventually denies the

youngsters their rightful time to engage in other activities that will compensate for a physical

exercise. In severe cases, brain tumors and cancerous development have been reported in such

teens who overwork their bodies with critical schedules that are not meant for their age.

Supposedly, raising the level of licensing to 18 as stipulated in the federal constitution, Illinois

public health sector will record some gradual improvement on teen health and the general public

vehicle drivers (Voas et al., p. 269).

The teenage age of driving should be increased 18 not only in Illinois or the US, but the whole

globe since teenage driving is globally detrimental to all road users bearing in mind most teens

are the wreck with a win-win attitude. In such scenarios like driving under the influence of

alcohol or other stimulants that impair normal body functioning, teens might tend to justify

themselves that they are still in recognition of their roles and that the substance used does not

affect them in any way. In such justifications and unacceptance of true-self, a lot of fatal

accidents occur leading to the demise of innocent souls, loss of properties worth millions of cash

and damage of roads. All this contributes to a great loss to the nation in question. Losing young

and ambitious talents that could have made a significant contribution to the socio-economic

growth and development of the state and improvement of regional trade at large (Robert B et al.,

pp. 234-239).

Conclusion

Raising the licensing age to 18 in Illinois is paramount for among other discussed reasons of

safety that reduce road carnage due to reckless driving and ignorance a common thing with most

teenagers. Bearing in mind that the State’s law advocates for licensing of teenagers from 17

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years to be provided with a license, it is vital that an individual must attain the age of 18 to

become a full licensed driver in Illinois. The move is greatly appreciated by various states and

other nations globally due to how worthwhile the laws have been effective. According to the

States’ licensing secretariat, more young people have learned to appreciate the role of strict

licensing laws over the years and the expected responsibility of the general public in the

realization of workability of such legislation. Though the strict laws have been criticized by

various organization and institutions of learning, the role played by the measures is not ignorable

even to other nations that have to decide to use a similar system in teen licensing. As Brent

Johnson puts it, Illinois is at the most appropriate way of curbing road carnage and reckless road

use by malicious youths who lack qualifying skills to be using public roads. Brent adds that

rewarding the best kids who have been able to go through the system and acquire a legit driving

warrant is even more encouraging calling for other youngsters to use the same avenue towards

the realization of legal and rightful license. As depicted from a broader prospect, teens licensing

is not necessarily about age or maturity but encouraging teens to make good choices and

demonstrate their level of individual character and unusual behavior. The Department of Illinois

Transportation points out that with more than 150 teen fatalities within a year through road

accidents have called for support from other states to this law with a 50% adult support of the

higher increase in the age limit for teen licensing. This has significantly reduced the number of

fatalities by at least a third since the action was effected. It is evident that despite critics from the

various institutions, the Illinois licensing law has been able to meet its target by far hence

improving public transport and environmental sustainability. From the context, the government

plays the key role in implementing federal laws and extrapolating possible consequences that can

follow an individual who fails to abide by the set rules. The general public, on the other hand,

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has a crucial role in the realization of citizens’ rights and responsibilities in the realization of a

dynamic and self-sustaining growth and development.

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Work Cited

Douglass, Richard L. "Youth, alcohol, and traffic accidents." Genetics Behavioral Treatment

Social Mediators and Prevention Current Concepts in Diagnosis. Springer US, 1983. 347-366.

Fell, James C., and Robert B. Voas. "The effectiveness of reducing illegal blood alcohol

concentration (BAC) limits for driving: evidence for lowering the limit to. 05 BAC." Journal of

safety research 37.3 (2006): 233-273.

Glassner, Barry. The culture of fear: Why Americans are afraid of the wrong things: Crime,

drugs, minorities, teen moms, killer kids, mutant microbes, plane crashes, road rage, & so much

more. Basic books, 2010.

Heath, William R., and Jose A. Villadangos. "No driving without a license." Nature immunology

6.2 (2005): 125-187.

Pressley, Joyce C., et al. "Motor vehicle injury, mortality, and hospital charges by strength of

graduated driver licensing laws in 36 states." Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 67.1

(2009).

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