driving age should be 21 nationally

My use of the word "rigid" indicates that I completely understood the instigator's original statement and the title of this debate. Both are indicative of a system in which drivers cannot drive on their own at all until age 21. If he meant that provisional licensing that allows weekday driving should available before 21, he probably should have made that clear because that is an entirely different case. Starting driver's education earlier is not necessary. As I mentioned, the current system of training is effective. The best way to gain experience driving is to be out on the road, and our current system allows a year of training on the road with an older driver to impart some experience before drivers set out on their own. However, if one wanted more extensive training mandated (this seems one of the instigator's reasons for a belated licensing) it could still be done with the current driving age. The fundamental aspects of driving could be instilled at an earlier age. I assure you that "Little Johnny" can drive around an empty parking lot without posing an imminent threat to society even if he is only 15. The instigator did not respond to another point which is integral to the argument against a later driving age being implemented nationally. This point is the fact that driving laws are the prerogative of state legislatures, not the national government. As I mentioned, the exceptionally diverse nature of our nation necessitates legislature which can be tailored to fit the region in which it is implemented. A national law does not allow this. For example, with a national law, people in rural areas who need to be able to operate vehicles and farm equipment at a younger age and should be able to do so due to reduced traffic and therefore a safer driving environment would be deprived of their rights on the road. Furthermore, empty buses do not indicate that we have an adequate public transportation system to support a massive influx of people. First of all, there are many regions where public transportation is not underutilized and buses, trolleys, and subways are often packed like sardine cans. In addition, there is far more to having an adequate public transportation system than simply having enough seats. Our current public transportation system requires individuals to waste a considerable amount of time that could be saved by driving, with the exceptions of a few efficient systems, such as the subways of New York City. Not only is our current system a time sink, it also is not nearly extensive enough. In urban areas, buses allow transportation to many denizens of the city. However, the instigator continues to ignore the many Americans who live in the outskirts of suburban areas and rural areas and do not have access to any form of public transportation. American infrastructure is built around the personal automobile. Roads abound but access to public transportation in many areas does not. People cannot be expected to bike dozens of miles every morning to make it to a train to make it to a bus to make it, after a devious path with dozens of stops, to their workplace. Perhaps those of us living in urban hubs with access to copious buses and trolleys could easily manage with a later driving age, but the many youth not privileged to enjoy such opportunities could not. The instigator asserted that his revision of the driving age could serve as an opportunity for more people to begin biking. However, biking is not a suitable form of transportation for many people. Biking can be a great means of getting exercise and getting around, but not at any kind of distance for many people. The time and effort required to bike to work every day would be excessive for many and make it exceptionally difficult for those who are not in shape to pursue their professions. In conclusion, there are benefits that might be reaped by postponing licensing a few more years in some areas. However, in most areas they are outweighed by the negative consequences and impracticalities posed. In some areas such a law might be worth considering, but it should never be implemented nationally as this would deprive many citizens of their driving privileges unnecessarily and would not allow for the flexibility necessary in a law which pertains to exceptionally diverse regions.