Many teenagers like to drive faster than the speed limit but frequently forget the danger of doing so. Adding high-performance vehicles to the mix makes the situation even more dangerous. Teens, in my opinion, should not be able to drive fast cars due to insurance reasons, lack of driving experience, and teen death rates.

New drivers, especially teenagers, have higher insurance rates because of the lack of their inexperience. According to CarInsurance.com, the average annual car insurance cost for a 16-year-old driver is $4,144. This price varies depending on the type of car being driven, but if it is a high-performance vehicle, you can bet the price will be higher. Speeding also increases the risk of being ticketed, which also raises insurance rates. This rise in cost can rise 24% of the regular rate, according to Forbes.com. This means a $4,000 rate can increase to $4,960 with just one ticket.

Lack of driving experience is another reason why young drivers should not be placed inside a performance vehicle. Think of teens who just got their licenses, they have at least 6 months of behind-the-wheel experience with no real knowledge of the roads yet. Those drivers are usually scared, indecisive, and naive to road hazards compared to older people. According to TheZebra.com, 40.2% of teens think driving is scary. Add a high-performance vehicle to the equation, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Teens should drive in safer, non-high-performance vehicles because of the fatal accident rates by age in America. According to IIHS.org, the rate of vehicle accident fatalities in 2020 for adults (35-69 y/o) was 13.7 for every 100,000. The rate for teens (16-19 y/o) was 17.9 for every 100,000. These numbers speak for themselves, younger drivers are more at risk than older drivers. Imagine if all teenagers were driving Ferraris and Lamborghinis, the death rate would only grow higher, and roads would be less safe.

The main point I am trying to address is putting a teenager in a fast car is not a good decision. There are so many risks involved with the idea of it, not to mention the unimaginable happening and parent lives being changed forever. Teens, in my opinion, should not be able to drive fast cars due to insurance reasons, lack of driving experience, and teen death rates.