Who feels that people of 17 are too young to drive?

[easyasit]

This is a concern of many police officers.

So many boy racers on the street who turn tear aways after they pass.

I am not saying this is the case with everyone. Rocklinks for example only passed the other weekend at 18 i think. I am sure he is a responsible driver and congratulations to him.

[Cornish Steve]

My children can get a provisional license (driving with an adult beside them) at 15. They can convert this to a full license at 16. Local laws are clear:

1) They cannot have more than one other teen in the car.
2) There's a midnight curfew for drivers under 18.

Georgia is a rural state, and many teens help parents on the farm. This is one reason the age limit is young. Some states grant a license at 14. Others have a higher age limit. It all depends on local needs and expectations.

There are a number of teen driving deaths each year, especially in the cities, in part because of speed racing. Unfortunately, if someone wants to do this, they're going to do it - no matter what the law says. Isn't it the role of parents to supervise what teens are doing, not the law? Also, I'll never understand why some parents buy their teens a sports car.

[easyasit]

I can fully understand where steve is coming from and this does make sense.

I think in all theory and fairness it is right if ppl are going to speed then they are going to. Police have been complaining for years about the number of young drivers who have only just passed their tests are ended up either dead or seriusly injured not long after they pass. They also buy cars like twin turbos that they do not really need.

not long after i passed, i bought an 1100Cc ford fiesta that still does a fine job to this day!

I also had to pay the price of my boy racing cousin. He family paid for his lessons etc etc. And he wrote off more cars than i wrote off personal stereos. I thereby wass forced to take driving lessons at my own expense and only really finally passed wen i was 30.

In london there is no real reason to pass a test. all the transport is there and london is well covered.
Up here howover, the bus service not being a thorough and there being no underground system, so the need changes.

Then we are getting into the age old argument, focring drivers off the road to take public transport, by the same order bus and train fares still continue to rocket.

Al

[mumper]

Unfortunately, some people think that when they've passed their driving test the learning is finished. It's only when you've passed the test that the real learning begins.

[CG Effect]

When I'm out and about jogging it's always the younger ones doing 70 down a 40mph limit or going round a corner without slowing down. where I live the roads are quiet so the kids play in the road but now and again the teenageers use it as a race track. The neigbours have told the police who some of them are , but they just say let us know when they do it again. The last two hit and runs around here were by teenagers and both killed the victims.

[Jayne]

It depends on the individual teenager. The two young lads who live next door to me, yes they have driven since 17 and are excellent safe drivers, they are very mature for their ages.

Other young ones, I would say should never be allowed on the roads, like the boy racer types.

Jayne :D

[coxadmin]

It's only when you've passed the test that the real learning begins.

That is so true - I've been driving for nearly 20 years and that has certainly been my experience.

[Urban Space]

You can drive one of those wind-up mopeds at 16 provisionally. :lol: Who wants one of those anyway? Make a right racket! 'AAAAAAAAAA' :lol:

The government are either lowering or raising the 17 limit too, can't remember which lol!

Liam

[MinuWeb]

The problem as I see it is that if you increased the age limt, lets say to 30, you would just have a number of 30 year old new drivers on the road doing the same thing. Unfortunately "maturity" is not a legal requirment

[easyasit]

The problem as I see it is that if you increased the age limt, lets say to 30, you would just have a number of 30 year old new drivers on the road doing the same thing. Unfortunately "maturity" is not a legal requirment

i think raising the limit to 30 is a bit much. Not only this but lets be realistic, what would this do to industry?
We cannot tar everyone young person with the same brush and ban the lot.
it also has to be said it is mainly boys who offend, not girls.

I think increasing the limit perhaps tp 20 after a more intense awareness course. Or even young ppl of17 could be asked or made to attend an extra course on effects of speeding.

I totally and utterly agree with mumper though, you only learn to drive AFTER you pass you test.

Al

[Cornish Steve]

Thinking about this some more, why not grant a permit for a teen to drive with a parent in the car from age 15? For two full years, the teen would learn every aspect of driving from the parent. To obtain a full license, the test at 17 would remain.

[easyasit]

Thinking about this some more, why not grant a permit for a teen to drive with a parent in the car from age 15? For two full years, the teen would learn every aspect of driving from the parent. To obtain a full license, the test at 17 would remain.

This idea is great in theory.
however two reasons i can think of y it would not work

The roads are crazy
The pupil would pick up too many bad habits from their parents as they drove.
otherwise yes, littler worng with the suggestion. At 17 he proviosnal license allows the pupil to driver a car supervised by a qualified driver who has had up to 3 years expereince driving. Although such a person is not allowed on the motorways

Al

[bwglaw]

A perfect solution would be that under 25's cannot drive a vehicle above 75bhp, or a 1.6 engine. Over 25's but under 30's can drive up to 150bhp or 2.5 engine, over 30's unlimited BHP/litre or some other strict criteria.

I have read somewhere that a father bought his son a Porsche when he passed and later the car was written off! That was very irresponsible of the parent and how the son got insured is beyond me.

[MarkPearson]

As a general yes, because some 17 year olds are not mature enough to have such a large responsibility with can have life threatening consequences.

On the other hand, some 17 year olds do make good drivers.

I think all new drivers are a difficult area as it is all down to experience.

[bwglaw]

I think all new drivers are a difficult area as it is all down to experience.

They will have little experience so it may well be down to their upbringing. I find some young adults become or are very much like their parents. Parents are often the 'role model'

[Ozzy]

I believe that all drivers should have at least 1 years motorcycle experience before they are allowed to drive a car, because motorcyclist are (and this is proven) safer car drivers. They are more aware of what is going on around them and read the road better. A similar scheme to this runs successfully in France.

I do also agree that when you pass your test you are on 2 year probation and not allowed to drive anything over a 1200cc or similar (you can get some pretty rapid 1600cc fuel injected rocket cars).

[easyasit]

Do you kow saying that
The speed limit for thr queens highway is the speed limit. for our motorways its 70mph.
Y on earth do they build cars that can rocket way over that?

There should be a law also prohibiting new drivers from getting access to such cars. I know the insurance helps a bit here though

AL

[bwglaw]

Target the manufacturers for building high-powered cars...

[Cornish Steve]

Target the manufacturers for building high-powered cars...
Nope - freedom of choice, please. Target the parents who buy them for their kids.

[easyasit]

Target the manufacturers for building high-powered cars...
Nope - freedom of choice, please. Target the parents who buy them for their kids.

Well i think in anycase insurance companies do the job nicely there by offering way high premiums, or simply not entertaining it :-)

Al

[MinuWeb]

The speed limit for thr queens highway is the speed limit. for our motorways its 70mph. And if you go driving through another country with higher limits what then ?

If you use your road car for racing (track days etc) what then ?

Cars don't go fast on their own.