Read the two paragraphs below, and write a one-paragraph response, including a thesis statement, that reflects your opinion. The future may bring about a compromise between the two sides. During the 1990s, Graduated Driver Licensing programs were introduced to help teenagers acquire more driving experience. Graduated Driver Licensing programs have three stages: the learner, the intermediate, and the full-privilege stage. The age restrictions for each stage vary from state to state. In the learner stage, teens have to drive with supervision, usually a parent. This stage lasts from six to twelve months. After a minimum time period and 30–70 hours of supervised driving practice, teens can take their driving test. They then enter the intermediate stage. During this stage, teens must have supervision if they drive at night and can have only one other teen passenger in the vehicle. Finally, at age 16, 17, or 18, depending on the state, teens enter the full-privilege stage, when they earn a standard driver’s license.

Even with Graduated Driver Licensing programs, the debate about the minimum driving age is still complex and heated. Both sides hope for fewer accidents involving teen drivers. Time will tell whether this new form of licensing is effective in reducing accidents—and in satisfying proponents of both older and younger driving age requirements.