Driving is a Privilege, Not a Right: Why We Should Rethink Who’s Allowed on the Road

In my personal opinion, the legal driving age should be raised to 21 and restricted to those under 65. I firmly believe that driving is not a right, but a privilege—one that must be earned and maintained with maturity, responsibility, and physical capability. While this may sound controversial to some, there are compelling safety and ethical reasons behind this stance.

First and foremost, one of the clearest benefits of such a change would be a reduction in car crashes. Statistics consistently show that young drivers—especially those between the ages of 16 and 20—are significantly more likely to be involved in accidents. Their brains are still developing, particularly in areas that control impulse, judgment, and risk assessment. By raising the legal driving age to 21, we allow time for greater psychological and emotional maturity, which could lead to more cautious and responsible driving habits. Fewer inexperienced drivers on the road means fewer accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Overlap with Alcohol Experimentation

Another key reason for raising the driving age is that it would eliminate the dangerous overlap between getting a driver’s license and beginning to experiment with alcohol. Most teens start drinking around age 14 to 16, with over 60%…