HPE162 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Concern Worldwide, 5Star, Legal Drinking Age
15 Jun 2018
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Tutorial Reflection A
Raise the driving age to 21
‘eseah shos that although aisig the diig age to a hae its pos, thee ae a
number of cons. It is a great health concern worldwide due to the number of road fatalities
each year is rising. Road injuries from driving are the 10th overall cause of death. (World
Health Organisation [WHO], 2017)
Every day, road crashes cost the Australian Government $40 million, resulting in $15 billion
a spent each year (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2007). however, the
total death toll has begun to decrease but the life-threatening injuries are still on the rise.
Therefore, the main social determinant that relates to this topic is transport as there are a
number struggles and burdens it would cause if the driving age was to be raised.
My initial stance to this topic was that raising the driving age to 21 is not an effective option
in trying to reduce the number of road fatalities. I am a young driver who is under the age of
21 years and if it was to be raised it would create a big difficulty on being able to get to
places for commitments. I think that drivers have the choice of being able to drive and
cannot change the risks of hopping onto the road with other drivers. However, there has
been an increase in the safety features? In cars such as a 5-star handicap rating, which is the
star rating that indicates the total level of safety that the vehicle driving provides in the
event of a crash/ and ability to avoid a crash. (Department of Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government, 2011)
Studies have shown that 25% of the total road fatalities occur among those aged between
12-to 24-years. (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2015). This is the typical age of Learner
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drivers, Provisional drivers, and some full license drivers. This is roughly half of injury-
related deaths overall. Studies have also shown that in 2015 almost 5 million lives were
claimed by road injuries. (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2015). Not one country seems
to be raising the driving age to 21, but the road and car restrictions are being raised to
higher importance (ref?). North Dakota in the US is one of the few countries that have
brought in these restrictions. (Briggs et al., 2008).
One restriction that is being increased is the use of seat belts. Most countries require all
occupants in a vehicle to be wearing a seat belt, especially if they are under the age of 18
years. Not wearing a seat belt often results in a harsh and rather unwanted fine/penalty if
caught, there are still some individuals who choose not to obey this law though, putting
themselves as well as others at risk. (Briggs et al., 2008).
Another restriction is the time of day, young drivers can drive in. The reason for certain
ties duig the da is eause the oug die hast ee eposed to suoudig
environments, school zones and night driving. Times between 3:00 pm and 5:59 pm is the
highest risk for young drivers to crash. (Williams, 2007)
There are a number of negative impacts of raising the driving age to 21 years such as it puts
an increase on the economic burden for the public transport system. This is because more
people will be catching public transport every day, meaning more money would need to go
to into the transport system for more available buses and trains. It will also mean for young
individuals to rely on external sources to get to places such as commitments and work.
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However, if the driving age was to be raised, the positive impact is that it will reduce the
ue of deaths i the ouge populatio as ost oug dies ouldt hae the
qualifications to drive. It will increase the independence level of drivers having to find
alternate modes of transport which leads to a 10-15% decrease in the total number of cars
on the road.
Currently in Western Australia, drivers can begin to learn to drive at the age of 15 years,
fistl, dies ust sit a Kes fo life test hih pepaes oug dies fo the oad safet
and road awareness skills prior to driving. Then they must sit a Learners theory test and pass
it before they can start driving on road. 6 months following sitting the Theory test, the
individual can the sit the hazad peeptio test hih easues the idiiduals aility
to respond to dangerous driving situations. Finally, the individual can then sit their Practical
Driving Assessment regarding they have sat behind the wheel in a car for 50 hours (formerly
25 hours) and pass, the individual then can drive independently without a parent (Depart of
Transport [DOT], Western Australia ,2017).
In conclusion, my stance has not changed for the health issue of raising the driving age to 21
because I believe that and if it was to be raised it would create a big difficulty on being able
to get to places for commitments. As I am a young driver today, I think that drivers have the
choice of being able to drive and with driving itself there are risks that you must be willing
to be exposed to.
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Document Summary
Esea(cid:396)(cid:272)h sho(cid:449)s that although (cid:396)aisi(cid:374)g the d(cid:396)i(cid:448)i(cid:374)g age to (cid:1006)(cid:1005) (cid:373)a(cid:455) ha(cid:448)e its p(cid:396)o(cid:859)s, the(cid:396)e a(cid:396)e a number of cons. It is a great health concern worldwide due to the number of road fatalities each year is rising. Road injuries from driving are the 10th overall cause of death. (world. Therefore, the main social determinant that relates to this topic is transport as there are a number struggles and burdens it would cause if the driving age was to be raised. My initial stance to this topic was that raising the driving age to 21 is not an effective option in trying to reduce the number of road fatalities. I am a young driver who is under the age of. 21 years and if it was to be raised it would create a big difficulty on being able to get to places for commitments.
