BILLINGS - An auto safety group pushed lawmakers Tuesday to raise the minimum driving age, arguing it would save lives, as car accidents is the leading cause of death among teenagers.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a group funded by the Auto Insurance Industry, is asking states to raise the minimum age to get a driver's license to 17 or 18, which they recognize will be a tough sell to many teens and adults.

"Oh, no they shouldn't raise it to 17 or 18," said on Billings teen. "Particularly in this state, where a lot of young kids have to drive in part for their farms and ranches and what not, I feel it's appropriate," said one Billings man.

The group says studies show the older teens are when they first start driving, the less likely they are to get into a crash. "Unfortunately, some of our largest motor vehicle claims that we've had have been teen drivers, and one was just very much due to inexperience," said Nick Purchio, insurance agent for Farm Bureau Insurance. Purchio said rates are based on a combination of a driver's age and time spent behind the wheel.

"There's a reason teen drivers pay a higher premium and that's because they have a higher percentage of accidents," said Purchio. "So, it's definitely based on the experience of the younger-age drivers, or inexperience may be a better word."

Some opponents say raising the driving age would only delay the deaths as its just that, inexperience, rather than immaturity that leads to a higher rate of death among young drivers. Changing Montana's driving age would take legislative action.