Pennsylvania wants to lower driving age & allow 15-year-olds to get driver's permit

Lobogris · 3rd March 2023, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ56

The human brain matures till age 25, that doesn't mean the government gets to stop young adults from driving, flying, getting married or signing up for the military..

Ok. Then why aren’t they allowed to drink or have sex? They are also capable of those two things at 15. If the argument is that they are not mature enough for that at 15, then driving is an even more dangerous activity.

Turbohead · 3rd March 2023, 08:37

I'm pretty sure 15 year olds will quickly learn to drive and pass driving tests if they really want to. But one thing that's uncertain is emotional stability, it was certainly true for me and I see so many youngsters just letting themselves to with the flow not knowing the repercussions of their actions if things don't go as planned.

AJ56 · 3rd March 2023, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lobogris

Ok. Then why aren’t they allowed to drink or have sex? They are also capable of those two things at 15. If the argument is that they are not mature enough for that at 15, then driving is an even more dangerous activity.

They should be, assuming it’s between consenting individuals. Age of consent is anyway 16 in some 34 states already. Plus, it doesn’t help making these things illegal, they’ll do it anyway. How many 15 year olds do you know who haven’t had a drink? Near zero I’d say.

nishsingh · 3rd March 2023, 10:50

Well, until a few days ago, the age of marriage in the UK was 16 years, yet one couldn't watch an adult film until the age of 18.

Just goes to show that we humans don't always think rationally!

Lobogris · 3rd March 2023, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ56

How many 15 year olds do you know who haven’t had a drink? Near zero I’d say.

I am talking about the legal age of drinking in the US which is 21 years. Personally, I am fine with the parents deciding when to offer a drink to their child. A little sip at even 8 years old is fine. However when a country decides that people cannot have a drink till 21 even at home under parental supervision then one can argue that a similar restriction should be imposed for driving. I could give a glass of wine to my 15 year old at home safely but a 15 year old driving is capable of causing a lot of damage.

ValarMorghulis · 3rd March 2023, 11:21

What's with this arbitrary age of 15?

Why not 14? Or 12? I mean if the logic is: If they can, let them then there should be no age limit.
If they can, let them drive even at 7 years old.

The logic of 18 for me was education.

3rd March 2023, 08:37	#17
Turbohead Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,421 Thanked: 6,097 Times	Re: Pennsylvania wants to lower driving age & allow 15-year-olds to get driver's permit I'm pretty sure 15 year olds will quickly learn to drive and pass driving tests if they really want to. But one thing that's uncertain is emotional stability, it was certainly true for me and I see so many youngsters just letting themselves to with the flow not knowing the repercussions of their actions if things don't go as planned.
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3rd March 2023, 10:50	#19
nishsingh BHPian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 430 Thanked: 1,593 Times	Re: Pennsylvania wants to lower driving age & allow 15-year-olds to get driver's permit Well, until a few days ago, the age of marriage in the UK was 16 years, yet one couldn't watch an adult film until the age of 18. Just goes to show that we humans don't always think rationally!
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3rd March 2023, 11:21	#21
ValarMorghulis BHPian Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Bangalore Posts: 414 Thanked: 3,877 Times	Re: Pennsylvania wants to lower driving age & allow 15-year-olds to get driver's permit What's with this arbitrary age of 15? Why not 14? Or 12? I mean if the logic is: If they can, let them then there should be no age limit. If they can, let them drive even at 7 years old. The logic of 18 for me was education.
	(2) Thanks