185 Sample answer No need for Austrians to get their driving licence at 16 In some countries, the minimum age for obtaining a driver’s licence is 16, and many young Austrians would like to be able to drive at that age as well. However, there are strong arguments against lowering the legal driving age. Austria has an excellent public transport system, the cost of learning to drive is considerable, and there are valid concerns about the risks that teenage drivers might take. First of all, in Austria teenagers can enjoy a high level of mobility without needing a driving licence. Public transport is affordable for young people as they benefit from discounted student tickets. Moreover, in urban areas, travelling by tram, bus or underground is often faster than driving. When young people go out in the evening, and public transport services are less frequent, being picked up by their parents is usually more convenient than driving themselves. It is also much safer if alcohol is involved. Considering all these factors, it is clear that allowing teenagers to drive would not significantly enhance their mobility. Another argument against allowing teenagers to drive at 16 is the high cost of driver education in Austria, which is more expensive than in many other countries. In order to receive a license in Austria, learners must attend lessons at a private driving school, pass a first-aid course and provide a medical certificate, all of which can be quite costly. In addition, once young people have passed their driving test, they are likely to want a car of their own, which many families may not be able to afford. For all these reasons, even if the minimum age was lowered to 16, many teenagers would not have the opportunity to learn to drive. Finally, there is evidence that younger drivers are more likely to cause accidents. This is not only due to their lack of experience, but also because young people are more likely to engage in risky behaviour, such as speeding in dangerous conditions. Studies have also shown that young drivers are more easily distracted – for example, by other people in the car or by their mobile phones – than older, more experienced drivers. For these reasons, it would be irresponsible to allow people to drive at an even younger age than now. In conclusion, since public transport is convenient and safe, the cost of driving lessons is too high for many parents, and because young drivers are more prone to accidents, Austrian teenagers should not be allowed to start driving at 16. Content point 1 Content point 2 Content point 3 Factual title stating topic Thesis statement: It makes clear what you think about the issue at hand. Topic sentence Supporting detail 1 Supporting detail 2 Topic sentence Supporting detail 1 Supporting detail 2 Topic sentence Conclusion: It summarises the arguments presented in the main body, using wording that differs from the thesis statement. Supporting detail 1 Supporting detail 2 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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