Arteries are thicker than veins, and the elastic layer is necessary to support the additional weight of arteries.

Valves present in veins provide a mechanism for withstanding high blood pressure flow going through veins.

The total length of arteries in the body is more than the total length of veins, and the elastic layer helps push the blood over the longer length.

Blood pressure is higher in arteries than veins, and the elastic layer helps maintain the structure of the artery.