It is crucial to acknowledge that the issue of road traffic accidents is a global public

health concern. According to World Health Organization statistics, more than 1.25
million people die each year due to road traffic accidents globally, with another 20 to
50 million people suffering from non-fatal injuries that result may in temporary or
permanent disability. Malaysia's accident rate has been growing exponentially year
after year too. In contrast, one crucial component has become a source of contention
in recent years. It is claimed that newly licenced teens have contributed to more
severe accidents on the road than any other demographic. As a result, I feel that the
minimum age to obtain a driver's licence in Malaysia should be changed from 17
years old to 21 years old.

To begin with, humans go from teenage to early adulthood at the age of 21. Humans
develop physically and psychologically at this time in their lives. Practically, all drivers
must have a certain level of mental maturity in order to manage a vehicle on the
road. Teenagers are fueled by a competitive environment where everything appears
to be a race for them while they are still younger. This also occurs on the road, where
some teens attempt to pass vehicles driving faster than them. As a result of their
immaturity, they imperil their own lives as well as the lives of others.

Besides, once the minimum age is raised, the number of drivers will decrease.
Teenagers aged 17 to 20 will still be unable to drive if they can only obtain a driver's
licence at the age of 21 in this country. Correspondingly, fewer drivers will be on the
road, which means there will probably be fewer accidents. Furthermore, the more
vehicles on the road, the greater the probability of an accident occurring. The
startling number of accidents during the holiday season bears witness to this.

Thirdly, some may claim that raising the minimum age to obtain a driver's licence in
Malaysia to 21 may increase to unauthorised or unlicensed drivers on the road.
According to this perspective, driving is necessity; hence teens will risk driving
without a licence. However, a thorough examination of the evidence may
demonstrate that unauthorised drivers in Malaysia face harsh consequences. Even if
some drive without consent, the severe fines may prevent minors from doing so and
consequently minimise the number of drivers on the road.

To summarise, Malaysia, after all, has the third-highest fatality rate of any ASEAN
country, which is terrible for everyone, including the government, insurance
companies, individuals and families. Therefore, I firmly believe that increasing the
minimum age to obtain a driving license in Malaysia should be implemented as it can
decrease road accidents and other possible complications.