Some people think the best way to improve road safety would be to increase the minimum legal age for driving a car or a motorcycle. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This response is estimated at Band 8.5. Can you write a better one?
Write yours and get clear feedback on all four criteria.
- Closest to official scores
- What to fix on each criterion
- Feedback in about 20 seconds · free
Sample Response
Some people argue that raising the minimum legal age for driving cars or motorcycles is the best way to improve road safety. Although this could reduce some risks associated with inexperienceyouthful immaturity, I do not consider it the most effective approach. Measures targeting dangerous behaviour, driving competence, and roadcompetence and road conditions would have a broader impact.
One limitation of raising the driving age is that dangerous behaviour is not confined to young drivers. Even experienced adults can cause serious accidents by speeding, using their phones or driving under the influence of alcohol. For example, a driver who takes their eyes off the road to reply to a message may drift into another lane and collide with a motorcyclist. Raising the age limit would do little to prevent such behaviour among drivers who already surpass the legal thresholdmeet it. Moreover, raisingpostponing the age at which people can obtain a licence does not, by itself, equip novice drivers with the skills needed to recognise hazards. This evidence indicates thatThese limitations suggest that age restrictions alone are an insufficient response.
A more effective approach would combine consistent enforcement with better training and safer roads. First, fines, penalty points and licence suspensions can deter dangerous behaviour among drivers of all ages, provided that offences are reliably detected and penalties consistently applied. NeverthelessHowever, enforcement alone cannot address every risk, since not all accidents result from deliberate violations. Comprehensive driver training and rigorous practical tests are therefore needed to improve hazard perception and reduce driving errorserrors behind the wheel. Alongside these measures, better lighting and improved signageclearer signs at dangerous junctions can help drivers identify hazards earlier and respond in time. Together, these interventions address risks that a higher age limit would leave untouched.
In conclusion, raising the minimum driving age may have some value, but it is not the best solution. A combination of effective enforcement, thorough training and safer road infrastructure would address a wider range of contributing factors to road collisionscauses of road accidents.
Why this response received Band 8.5
The essay presents a clear, well-reasoned position with exceptional grammatical accuracy and sophisticated vocabulary throughout. Ideas are logically organised into cohesive paragraphs that flow naturally from counter-arguments to practical alternative solutions. To enhance the essay further, incorporating a brief comparison of specific statistical risks associated with novice drivers would make the argument even more convincing.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The response directly addresses the prompt, maintaining a clear position that raising the age limit is insufficient compared to broader safety measures.
Provide even deeper context by acknowledging specific counter-arguments regarding young driver statistics before refuting them.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing is logical and well-structured, with clear topic sentences and smooth cohesive transitions between points.
Vary cohesive devices slightly more by incorporating implicit transitions alongside explicit linkers like 'moreover' and 'however'.
Lexical Resource
A wide range of topic-specific and flexible vocabulary is used accurately and naturally without awkward phrasing.
Incorporate a few more idiomatic or highly subtle collocations related to traffic policy and road safety.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Grammar and sentence structures are varied, highly complex, and completely free of noticeable errors.
Maintain this level of grammatical precision across a wider variety of stylistic structures in longer essays.