The Best Way to Reduce the Number of Traffic Accidents - IELTS Writing Task 2

In IELTS opinion essays, it is usually important to agree or disagree with a certain fact or piece of information. Your argument must support one of two opposing views in the essay.

Given below is an example of an IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay. Let’s understand how to frame the essay based on our ideas.

The best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents is to raise the age limit for younger drivers and lower the age limit for elderly ones. Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answers and provide relevant examples and experience you might have.

Outline

Essay Type

Opinion essay

Introduction

Sentences 1&2 -In recent years, the number of road accidents has increased considerably. Some people have suggested that increasing the age limit for obtaining a license and diminishing the age limit for older people can be an effective measure in lessening the number of accidents that happen while others disagree with this view.

Sentence 3 – I disagree as well and would suggest that other remedial measures would provide a better solution.

Body Paragraphs

Paragraph 1 – Rather than raising the age of driving, providing better driving education, limiting the number of hours youngsters drive, and imposing hefty fines can ensure that they drive safely.

Paragraph 2 – Providing cars adapted for the elderly and offering them regular health check-ups to ensure that they are fit to drive will prove more effective in reducing accidents than lowering the age of permitted driving for older adults.

Paragraph 3 – Increasing the age of driving for youngsters can ensure that they start driving when they are more mature and lowering it for the elderly can reduce traffic congestion and pollution, not only accidents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I disagree with the notion that raising the age of driving for youngsters and lowering it for older adults will contribute to the reduction of disasters on the road. Rather, introducing other interventions will be more useful.

Sample Essay

In recent years, the number of road accidents has increased substantially. Some people have suggested that increasing the age limit for obtaining a licence and diminishing the age limit for older people can be an effective measure in lessening the number of accidents that happen, while others disagree with this view. I oppose it as well and would suggest that other remedial measures would provide a better solution.

To begin with, the implementation of better driving programs for budding drivers and educating them about how to drive safely and avoid accidents. Bolstering driver education has been proven to reduce accidents among the youth. Another measure that could be introduced is curbing the number of hours that youngsters are allowed to drive, particularly at night when there is reduced visibility. Imposing hefty fines for breaking speed limits can also help in curtailing the number of mishaps on the road.

Further, senior citizens can be encouraged to drive safely. Cars adapted for the elderly should be designed. The government can provide free health check-ups, particularly assessing the vision and the eyes, to the elderly to ensure they are fit to drive. In this regard, they can be provided with medical clearance if they are found to be proficient at driving. Lastly, everyone ages differently, so upholding an arbitrary cut-off age for preventing older people from driving is unfair.

However, those who say that the age of driving should be raised suggest it because they feel that adolescents lack the sense of responsibility and discipline that young adults amass when they mature. As for the elderly, they feel that even early signs of ageing affect people’s ability to drive and preventing them from driving will also reduce the number of cars plying on the road and, therefore, contribute to lessening traffic congestion and pollution in the long run.

In conclusion, I disagree with the notion that raising the age of driving for youngsters and lowering it for older adults will contribute to the reduction of disasters on the road. Rather, introducing other interventions will be more useful.

Vocabulary

• Substantially

Meaning – Considerably
Example – The proportion of women in science and technology has substantially increased in the past decade.

• Remedial

Meaning – Corrective or restorative
Example – Remedial classes are being held for the students who have been struggling with their academic performance.

• Bolster

Meaning – Strengthen
Example – My friends were always quick to bolster my confidence whenever I felt down.

• Arbitrary

Meaning – Random or whimsical
Example – It was a completely arbitrary decision of his to quit his position.

• Curb

Meaning – Limit
Example – Delinquency among the youth can be curbed through better education and community support.

• Proficient

Meaning – Adept or capable
Example – He was rather proficient at playing the piano.

• Amass

Meaning – Accumulate or accrue
Example – Croesus had amassed a massive amount of riches during his time as king of the Lydian kingdom.

• Hefty

Meaning – Substantial or considerable
Example – This year, he received a hefty raise from his boss.

• Mishap

Meaning – Accident or unfortunate incident
Example – The fire was an unfortunate mishap that razed half the city to the ground.

• Curtail

Meaning – Cut back or diminish
Example – The activities of the art, music and theatre departments are being curtailed due to the school’s lack of funding.