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

In the IELTS Writing Task 2, opinion essays require you to clearly express your viewpoint on a given topic and support it with relevant arguments and examples. One common and important topic often seen in the test is road safety and traffic accidents.

In this blog, we’ll explore the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay topic “The best way to reduce the number of traffic accidents” through three Band 9 sample answers. Each sample answer demonstrates strong vocabulary, logical structure, and effective argumentation to help boost your own IELTS writing skills.

Question

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.

The Best Way to Reduce the Number of Traffic Accidents - Sample Answer 1

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.

The Best Way to Reduce the Number of Traffic Accidents - Sample Answer 2

While it is true that both young and elderly drivers may be more prone to accidents, I firmly disagree that simply adjusting age limits is the most effective solution. Road safety is influenced by various factors beyond age, including education, enforcement, and infrastructure.

Firstly, raising or lowering the legal driving age does not address the root causes of traffic accidents such as lack of proper training, reckless behaviour, or driving under the influence. A better approach would be to enforce stricter driving tests, offer mandatory refresher courses, and implement regular health checks for older drivers. This ensures that all drivers, regardless of age, are physically and mentally fit to drive.

Secondly, younger drivers often lack experience, but with comprehensive driver education programs and graduated licensing systems, they can gradually build the necessary skills under safer conditions. Likewise, not all elderly drivers are unsafe. Many maintain good reaction times and situational awareness, and removing their right to drive solely based on age can be both unfair and discriminatory.

In conclusion, I believe road safety can be better improved through enhanced driver training, ongoing assessments, and targeted regulations, rather than through blanket age restrictions that overlook individual ability.

The Best Way to Reduce the Number of Traffic Accidents - Sample Answer 3

There is no doubt that both very young and very old drivers can pose risks on the road, and I partially agree that adjusting the legal driving age could reduce traffic accidents. However, I believe this should be part of a broader strategy rather than a standalone solution.

Younger drivers, especially teenagers, often lack the maturity and experience needed to make quick decisions in high-pressure situations. Increasing the minimum driving age could give them more time to develop emotionally and mentally. Similarly, elderly drivers may suffer from age-related decline in vision, hearing, and reaction time. Lowering the maximum age limit can help prevent age-induced accidents.

That said, age alone is not the most accurate indicator of a person’s driving ability. Some older adults remain highly capable drivers well into their 70s, while some younger individuals drive responsibly from the start. Thus, implementing periodic driving assessments, regardless of age, would be more effective. In addition, public awareness campaigns, stricter law enforcement, and investment in safer road infrastructure can collectively bring down accident rates.

To sum up, while adjusting age limits could contribute to fewer accidents, it should be accompanied by other comprehensive measures that address driver competence, health, and road conditions.

The Best Way to Reduce the Number of Traffic Accidents - IELTS Vocabulary

Following are some of the IELTS Vocabulary found in the "The Best Way to Reduce the Number of Traffic Accidents - IELTS Writing Task 2."

• 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.

Reducing traffic accidents is a complex issue that cannot be solved by age-based restrictions alone. The Band 9 sample answers provided above show different perspectives, using strong arguments, advanced vocabulary, and well-organized ideas. By studying these responses, you can learn how to develop clear opinions, support them with relevant examples, and use precise language—key skills for achieving a higher IELTS Band Score in IELTS Writing Task 2. 

Also Check:

• How to Plan an IELTS Opinion Essay?
• Best IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips for Achieving Band 9
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