About Proposed Changes to Age Limits
The most recent proposed legislation, which is known as the DRIVE-Safe Act, would make it possible for drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 to drive commercial vehicles across state lines. Currently, many states allow drivers within this age range to operate these vehicles within the boundaries of the state, but they are not permitted to cross into other jurisdictions. Under this bill, drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 could drive across state lines after obtaining a commercial license from an accredited school and completing some on-the-job training. This new bill is only one in a series of attempts to allow younger drivers to operate commercial trucks.
Experience Matters - Risks of Lowering Age Limits
Even though new legislation may call for more training for younger drivers, this still won't give them the same level of experience and competency as a driver over the age of 21. Without this experience, these younger drivers simply cannot operate their vehicles as safely, putting themselves and everyone else on the road at risk of accident and injury.
Below are some of the most convincing arguments against lowering the age limit for commercial drivers.
1. Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 account for approximately 5.4% of the total driving population in the United States. However, these drivers are involved in 12% of all police-reported crashes and 9% of all fatal crashes. These statistics show that teen drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents with and without fatalities even when they aren't driving a large commercial vehicle. Putting these younger drivers behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle and allowing them to travel across state lines will only increase the incidence of catastrophic truck accidents.
2. Teens are more likely to speed.
Teens are more likely to speed than older drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, not only is speeding more common among teenagers, but teens are also more likely to leave shorter distances between themselves and other vehicles. Higher speeds combined with shorter distances dramatically increase the likelihood of a crash.
3. Teens don't have the same intuition as adults.
The CDC also reports that teen drivers are not as capable at recognizing and responding to hazardous situations on the road as an older, more experienced driver. They are also more likely to make critical errors that lead to accidents. These statistics are frightening when considering teenagers behind the wheel of any vehicle, but allowing them to operate a larger, more dangerous commercial vehicle seems even more dangerous.
Justice for Victims
Unfortunately, when teen drivers and drivers of commercial vehicles cause accidents, innocent people are often forced to suffer the consequences. These accidents can lead to property damage, serious injuries, and even death. Fortunately, all states allow victims of car accidents to recover compensation by taking legal action. Filing a claim against the responsible party doesn't take away the pain and suffering associated with these accidents, but it can make it easier for victims to move on by providing them with the compensation they need to cover as
