Is 17 too young to drive?

This question is thrown around a lot and many different people have different views about it. Particular people would answer yes it is, whereas others would answer no even saying that it is too old! In America the driving age is 16, some believe that it's better for younger people to be taught responsibility by been given more of it. At the moment our government are saying 17, but is this too young or too old? One suggestion that has been put across is to allow 17 year olds to take driving lessons Leeds, or where ever they live in the UK and at 18 take their take driving test. This way they're getting a full years experience on the road with an experienced driver and this could make the roads a lot safer. On the other hand learner drivers are saying they will start learning close to their 18th birthday and then no additional experience with a professional is gained and therefore defeating the point of this. An alternative to making younger and novice drivers safer is something called the graduate licence scheme. This would in effect rise the age before a full licence can be required by a year, making the minimum driving age 18. This scheme would involve learners having to have their L plates on a car for a year before they can receive their full licence which would force them to gain a years experience of driving with an experienced driver no matter what their age. As well as taking driving lessons in Leeds this would increase the safety of pupils driving dramatically. Research shows that 15% of accident deaths on the road involve someone between the ages of 17-20. Younger drivers are 7 times more likely to have an accident; however is this due to inexperience? Or is it due to other peers encouraging them to go to fast? Is 17 too young to drive? Or is it just the opposite? With American jurisdiction placing the driving age at 16 may we be soon to follow? Over half of people under the age of 15 think that the driving age should be lowered and over 82% of them said the dangers of driving should be shown more in schools to educate younger generation. Every idea has its pros and cons and not everyone will be pleased by the outcome. A quantity thinks that the driving age at the moment is at a happy medium whereas others think it needs sorting out.