Some people believe that the minimum age for obtaining a driving license should be raised to reduce accidents. To what extent do you agree or disagree?**

范文（Band 8+）

In many countries, the legal driving age is set at 16 or 18, allowing young individuals to operate vehicles with minimal restrictions. However, concerns about road safety have led some to argue that raising the minimum driving age could reduce accidents. While this proposal has merit, I believe that stricter training and supervision, rather than simply increasing the age limit, would be more effective in improving road safety.

One of the primary reasons for advocating a higher driving age is the assumption that younger drivers lack the maturity and experience to handle vehicles safely. Research indicates that teenagers are more prone to reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding or distracted driving, due to their underdeveloped decision-making skills. For example, studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that drivers aged 16-19 are three times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than those over 20. Raising the driving age could theoretically reduce such incidents by ensuring only more mature individuals are permitted to drive.

However, simply increasing the age requirement may not address the root causes of accidents. Many young drivers lack proper training, and licensing systems in some countries do not adequately assess driving competence. Instead of raising the age limit, governments could implement mandatory defensive driving courses, longer supervised practice periods, and stricter licensing tests. Countries like Germany, where new drivers must complete extensive training, have significantly lower accident rates among young motorists. This suggests that education and regulation, rather than age alone, play a crucial role in road safety.

Moreover, delaying the driving age could negatively impact young adults who rely on personal vehicles for work or education. In rural areas with limited public transport, driving is often essential for accessing employment or universities. Raising the minimum age might disproportionately affect low-income families, forcing them to depend on costly alternatives like taxis or ride-sharing services. Therefore, a blanket increase in the driving age may create more problems than it solves.

In conclusion, while raising the driving age might reduce some accidents, a more balanced approach—combining rigorous training, stricter testing, and better supervision—would be more effective. Policymakers should focus on improving driver education rather than imposing arbitrary age restrictions.

写作思路解析

观点明确，结构清晰

这篇范文采用了经典的“双边讨论+个人立场”结构：

• 开头段：引出话题，表明立场（不完全同意提高年龄限制）。
• 主体段1：支持提高年龄的理由（年轻人驾驶风险高）。
• 主体段2：反对单纯提高年龄的理由（培训不足才是关键）。
• 主体段3：补充社会影响（可能影响低收入群体）。
• 结尾段：重申立场，提出替代方案。

这种结构确保逻辑严密,避免一边倒的论证，符合雅思高分作文的要求。

论据充分，引用权威数据

高分雅思作文需要具体例证,本文引用了NHTSA的数据和德国驾驶培训体系作为支撑，增强了说服力，考生在写作时也应尽量使用真实研究或统计数据，避免空泛论述。

语言精准，避免模板化

• 词汇多样性：使用“reckless driving”“underdeveloped decision-making skills”等精准表达，避免重复。
• 句型多变：混合使用条件句（If...）、比较句（...three times more likely...）和被动语态（...could be implemented...），体现语言灵活性。
• 衔接自然：过渡词（However, Moreover, Therefore）使行文流畅，但不过度依赖模板化连接词。

符合E-A-T原则（专业性、权威性、可信度）

• 专业性：讨论驾驶年龄时涉及心理学（青少年决策能力）和交通政策（德国案例），展现知识深度。
• 权威性：引用NHTSA数据，增强论证可信度。
• 可信度：提出替代方案（加强培训而非提高年龄），体现批判性思维。

考生常见错误及改进建议

错误1：观点极端化

• 低分写法：“Raising the driving age is completely wrong because young people need cars.”
• 改进建议：承认对方部分合理性，再反驳，如：“While some argue that younger drivers are less responsible, the solution lies in better training, not age restrictions.”

错误2：论据空洞

• 低分写法：“Young drivers cause many accidents because they are inexperienced.”
• 改进建议：补充具体数据或案例，如：“According to a 2022 WHO report, 20% of global traffic fatalities involve drivers under 25.”

错误3：语言重复

• 低分写法：“Young drivers are risky. They take risks because they are young.”
• 改进建议：替换同义词，如：“Adolescent motorists often exhibit hazardous behaviors due to impulsivity and limited road awareness.”

如何练习此类题目

1. 积累相关词汇：

   

   • 交通类：speed limit, traffic congestion, pedestrian safety
   • 政策类：legislation, enforcement, public awareness campaigns

2. 分析真题范文：
   查找类似题目（如“是否应该终身吊销违规驾驶者的驾照”），对比不同观点，学习论证逻辑。

3. 限时写作训练：
   在40分钟内完成审题、列提纲、写作和检查，模拟真实考试环境。