Young Drivers

[number8]

In view of the numbers of cars on the roads nowadays, is it time we had a moratorium on driving tests for young drivers? Or more specifically, young male drivers. I suggest three years. At 17/18, young men are neither mature enough or responsible enough to be in charge of a car (the accident stats speak for themselves). By not allowing them to drive until they are 21, hopefully they would have matured enough to take control. Plus of course, this three year delay means that that's 3 years of old people stopping driving with less people to take their place. On the subject of old people driving, a mandatory re-test every 3 years after 65/70?

[andy hughes]

Yep - agree with you on both points scube. Until we educate our young people to believe that a car is a means of transport and a potential lethal weapon, not a fashion accessory, a mobile sound system, or a 'pulling' machine, the stats will continue to rise. I would happily raise the age to 21, or even 25, and i would also ensure that any alcohol in a driver's system meant an instant life ban, but the chances of any party making these notions law are slim in the extreme.

[sft42]

I'm going to guess that you fall in neither of the categories that you mention.

The test is an assesment of car control and if you pass it it shows you are able to drive to that standard...most youngsters lack experience when driving in situations they don't experience often (fast speed, heavy traffic, bad weather) and the only way to get experience is to be on the roads driving.

As for the re-tests.....I think that everyone should have to re-sit a test every five years, especially when I see some of the driving on the roads.

[derbyram]

I'm with sft42 on this. The answer is not to bar people simply on the basis of age but to ensure that they have the ability in first place. The test should be more rigorous and include a section on motorway driving. I would put forward a suggestion that passing the test should give you a probationary licence for two years, during which time any driving offence or caution for a moving traffic offence would result in the revoking of the licence forcing the driver to start the process again. After two years of successful completion of probation, the full licence could then be issued. Just a thought.

[sft42]

Derbyram's suggestion does actually exist in one part of the UK (Northern Ireland) where upon passing your test you don't rip up your L plates you turn them over and display R plates for one year (R for restricted)....you are only supposed to drive at a maximum 45mph and other people can see you are a new driver.....it should be extended to the rest of the country.

[darth vader]

i like Derbyram's idea too. going back to the original question i don't think it is right to stop the majority of well behaved under 21's driving, simply because there is a minority who drive like headless morons. There are elements of bad drivers in any age group - the young to middle-aged "I know how to drive thankyou so don't tell me what speed/lane to drive in" people, the elderly "been driving for 50 years so don't tell me my eyesight's poor" etc. In my region we have a "50 mile an hour driver" breed - doesn't matter whether they're in a 30 zone, 50 zone or motorway they always drive at 50. To do a test once then never again for the rest of your life (in an ever changing world) is barmy. i vote re-tests every.... 5 years?

[derbyram]

re-tests every 5 years. Motion carried. I knew the idea about probationary licences was too good to be mine!

[SteveG]

This would surely lead to having more unemployed youths on the street, robbing and stealing. I suspect many of this group only work to pay for their car's, without them they would not bother, not having a car would also deter them working if they had to Bus it. Now National service thats the answer.

[bernardo]

No. If there are too many cars on the road, then the number should be restricted by taxation on petrol, or investment in public transport, or both - not an arbitrary age-based ban.

[IndieSinger]

Some of the more conscientious terrors of which you speak, decide to take Pass Plus, which not only lowers your insurance, but also gives you extra training on motorways, driving at speed, driving in bad conditions, long-distance driving etc. It's freely available from most instructors and I'm not alltogether sure why a) More people don't do it; and b) It isn't legally enforced...

[sddsddean]

I agree with sft, derbyram and darth. There should be re tests, but there won't be as the test centres can barely cope with 'first timers'. One point I would like to make though is the number of times you can take a test. Most people seem to see a driving licence as a piece of paper they obtain by right, rather than it showing you have the skill to drive. It is a skill and not everyone can do it, although everyone thinks they can. Anyone know someone who admits they are a bad driver? A prime example of this is the TV progs they do with 'Fred(a)' doing their 29th test. For God's sake, if he/she hasn't passed within 5 tries, they just cannot drive! Anyone else agree with a limit on the amount of times you can take a test?

[Gef]

The problem is that (almost) anyone can perform correctly for a test (although it might become more difficult as you ger older). The only way to try to stop bad driving is on the spot punishments although I still regularly see people with mobile clutched to ear whilst driving. I'll now duck and get me coat when I suggest that there is no need for manufacturers to produce cars that are capable of more than, say, 80 mph.

[Ewood27]

Definitely NOT in favour of retests for older drivers. I'm 68 next week.

[sft42]

I think that Sddsdean's opinion is valid and should be listened to here......I know he has more than the standard licence and as someone who has also driven everything on the road from a motorbike through mini's to a transit and a Volvo FH12 globetrotter I can say that there are people who just tune out on the road and they are the most dangerous.....driving is a skill that you learn but as you say not everyone is good enough to be out in public at the controls of a dangerous vehicle....pilots have to have regular checks and I think it's time if people want the privilege of being able to drive on the roads then they should be willing to prove they are capable of doing so in a safe and controlled manner.

I think several near misses by doddery duffers in Nissan micras has pushed me this way.

[number8]

Love the Northern Ireland idea - had no idea this existed. Having walked into work this morning, am still in favour of men under 21 not being allowed to drive - have just seen two lunatics driving beyond their capabilities in heavy traffic down a bus lane to avoid a line of traffic, at what I conservatively estimate was 50mph - they were heading toward me and appeared about 18/19. They also appeared to be racing each other. Perhaps there should be a caveat that men under 21 can drive only if they agree to do the pass plus immediately after their test. Incidentally, having taken my motorbike test about 10 years ago and ridden bikes ever since, I'm convinced it has made me a better car driver - more aware of myself on the road, and possibly more importantly, other road users (how many bike riders out there have had to anticipate car drivers pulling into their path from side roads, or car drivers making a right turn without looking in their side mirrors (I have had two "offs" over the years with this one). We appear to be invisible).

[number8]

Sorry, where I was leading before I got sidetracked doing something else was, perhaps men under 21 should be restricted to scooters to provide them with some road sense before allowing them in charge of a car.

[sarah123]

Having been in a car with someone aged 74, and had a very frightening experience, I am somewhat in favour of re-tests for older people. However, you don't have to be old to be pigheaded/blind/stupid/totallyindenialoflossofmarbles. So maybe there should be regular re-tests every few years, or perhaps a compulsory eye test/reactions test to renew your licence?

[Mattz_id]

The question of maturity and responsibility for young drivers under the age of 21 varies from driver to driver and no matter what age you change the law to, there will still be drivers driving carelessly. I am 20 now and have been driving since my 17th birthday in what some people would call a boy racer's car, yet I've not had one accident or conviction in those three years. I see more frightening driving from some middle aged people than from people in my age group who have been tought how to drive roundabouts and perceive hazards. Just because there are a minority of idiots on the roads who give us sensible young drivers a bad name, should not mean that we should be discriminated against in terms of insurance premiums or by the legal driving age being increased.

[Gef]

Mattz I agree with you (I'm over 50 by the way) apart from the point about insurance. Insurance companies deal with risk and, unfortunately, younger drivers are the greater risk. They have no way of discriminating between you and other younger drivers.

[elleo.people]

i agree about the old people as my father is a driving instructor and examinor. but not the 21 years of age limit. it is wise that people should be able to pass their test before they are legally able to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.i think you will find that i am right about this one!!!

[number8]

Well that's a stupid answer - you spastic.