If there was some way to have a mandatory age of 18 for a "full privledge" license maybe these young kids may actually get more "road time" under them before they are allowed to drive at certain hours at night.
in NJ the kid can get their permit at 16. then a cinderella license at 17. can't drive past a certain hour and can't have more then one other kid in the car with them. i think they get the full license at 18. don't remember. personally i think they need their permit earlier to get more experience on the road before they can drive alone.