Age limit for driving

[osprey]

I think that the age limit for driving should be risen to 21. A huge number of accidents are caused by those under 21 leading to higher insurance premiums. Driving is an art that seems to be forgotten by most people once they have passed their test and for what seems in my experience to be an excuse for travelling at whatever speed they think fit irrespective of the road conditions and surfaces. Additionally, if the age limit were to be increased then there would automatically be a reduction in the number of vehicles on the road, which would be good for everyone.

[jake-the-peg]

What do you base that opinion on?

Do you have any figures?

http://www.safespeed.org.uk/wrong.html

Indicates in North Wales at least only 3.6% of speeding tickets were picked up by under 25s

Higher insurance premiums already take account of the age of younger drivers so older drivers get a discount for that and don't pay to subsidise younger drivers.

[maggie01]

Years ago the age limit was still 17 but people couldn't afford to learn to drive or buy cars at this age. Now as soon as young people reach 17, they want to learn to drive and parents try to help the children with purchasing vehicles. If they age limit was to raise to 21 I think children would turn to motor cycles. Then we would be overun by those instead.

[De-Niro]

What a stupid thing to say.

You wouldn't like it if i was to brand you a boring old nob who blames everything on young people would you? So why do you feel the need to brand all young people the same. I am young but I dont drive like an idiot.

Yes you do hear about young people having accidents and horrific ones at that. This is simply the case because younger people are not afraid to do the speed limit on a motorway, or are driving around for longer periods in the day as they like to get out with their mates in the evenings and not stay in with the parents.

Another reason could also be that people like you make such a fuss about this topic that it is noticed a lot more.

I think it would be fitting to say that just as many accidents are caused by older people as their sight dissintigrates, they are afraid of the power of their vehicle, so they dither around at road junctions annoying other motorists or travel at 45-50 on the motorway, causing tension levels to rise.

If you ask me its the old age drivers which should be banned. I do apologise to the people that are good drivers as I am sure some are. I just cant stand people who have these stupid views with nothing to back them up.

I would check out Jake-the-Peg's statistics. Maybe that should change your mind.

[Toureman]

Have a look at this JAKE.......................

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south _east/5303580.stm

Just shows that speeding has very little to do with accidents in North Wales.

41% of accidents involved drivers aged between 17-25, don't try and twist statistics.

You still get our silly police chief ranting on how speed cameras are a gift from heaven

[cheater123]

That's just like saying, 'women can't drive' and thats why insurance goes up!!!

Or you could say 'older people are less aware' and should be banned!!!

load of old twoddle!

[chazza]

Surely if it is true that 17-21 year old have the most accidents, that is partly because they are new drivers and therefore less experienced.

So if you raise the age to 21, then the same situation will occur except that the drivers will be a bit older. Everyone will be a new, inexperienced driver at some time, regardless of when they learn to drive.

(By the way I know there are other factors involved)

[Siamsal]

As regards whether young people are more likely to have accidents, surely the opinion of experts should carry some weight. People who do this sort of analysis for a living?

Look at the way insurance premiums vary with the age of the driver. You can even do this yourself with an online quote. Vary nothing except the driver's age, and see how it alters the cost.

So osprey is right, younger people are more likely to have accidents.

As to simply altering the age, chazza has a good point: you'd just move the risk to 4 years later.

What about letting youngsters learn to drive even earlier, at 16 say? But, prohibit them from driving unaccompanied by an adult until they are older.