What should the legal Driving age be?

Hi

should people allowed to drive, before or after 22?

we found a clip and would like some feed back on the age thing not the clip


Warning contains graphic content:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4puojV5bh0E

 

I'll go with 21 and out of the house, who cares who they run over then!

I said that without watching that video, that's horrible

 

see am 23 and i ride a motorbike, am learning to drive, young drivers are reckless

 

Statistically, this is true, but at the same time, people need to be given time to learn, no?

I had a field car when I was as young as 6 years old!

 

I would have to agree that they are reckless, too many distractions today with cellphones, ipods, etc etc. When I was that age the only distraction I had was if my cassette was getting eaten. But you know, all young drivers think they are invincible

 

am thinkin 25

 

Am thinking that would only increase the age of inexperienced drivers. A large part of driving safely is feeling comfortable in your car.

Nervous drivers can be as bad as reckless drivers.

Also, needless to say, not EVERY 16-24 year old is a street-racing jack-off, and that accidents happen to EVERY age group. I've been in only one accident, and I was hit by an old man (I'd estimate late 50's to mid 60's). I wasn't even moving.

 

30.

Most drivers are idiots unless they have been in major collisions and know how dangerous driving is, and in turn, how much attention it requires. Naturally, there are exceptions, but let me put emphasis on exception.

 

I think mandating intensive driver training is a better solution than raising the legal driving age. Train people enough so that best practices are habitualized.

Sometimes pointing out the obvious to people is enough to make drastic changes. (Y'know buddy, you and yours would be MUCH safer if you simply kept space on all sides of your car - 2 second following distance, and such)

 

I have a friend who has been driving since 16 (he’s now 19) and he drives his car like it’s a race car. He’ll do 70 in a 35 and 110 on highways. He’s been two accidents, 1 totaled car, pulled over several times by the police but he just wont change the way he drives.

Recently he decided to look at opposing traffics lights (instead of his) meaning he’s in the middle of the intersection while the lights still red!

I refuse to go anywhere with him anymore.

 

Experience and confidence are essential to good driving (not too much confidence of course)

You have to start sometime, I would say 18 is about right. In a lot of countries I would guess that is when you are considered an adult.

Perhaps showing people accident videos every 3 months for the the first 2 years of their license would help them to understand how serious the consequences of stupidity and/or carelessness can be.

The media and car manufacturers need to be a lot more responsible as well.
Alcohol and cars should never be advertised together.
Cars should not be built/sold that can double the speed limit either.

 

A tad off of topic But I don't believe you should be able to do any of those things until you are at least 18 either.
21 is possibly a better idea for the first two.

It is illegal to use cell phones, i pods, black berries, etc while driving in Australia.

 

Oh, wow... I may not be for raising the legal driving age, but that's not to say that I am against punishment for obvious/repeat offenders. This guy shouldn't be allowed to drive until he has more of an appreciation for life.

 

i was banned at 17 for 18 months, i regret it now. that was on a bike. if you loose your license it should be like money once you lose it you hardly ever get it back.

 

Out of school at least. I would never let my kids ride with friends no matter how much they whined. Turned out most of their friends ended getting seriously hurt or worse before age 21.

 

Experience is the key word.

 

I like what they're thinking of doing here in the UK - learn at 17 but can't take your test until you're 18, so have to drive as a learner and have an experienced person with you wherever you drive.

I may be biased because I'm only 18 myself, but I think many people are stereotypical when it comes to young drivers. Yes they may cause more road accidents/deaths but that's only because there are more cars on the roads now days than, say, 10-15 years ago and they're less experienced. Someone learning to drive at 40 could be in the same position, and it's mainly a minority because all people my age who drive haven't been in accidents, bar 2 - both of which weren't their fault.

 

Young drivers will always be statistically bad,as the saying goes you pass your test then learn to drive,raising the age people can drive at would take away so much pleasure from from the youth,I know pleasure and fun cant go head to head with safety in a debate especially in todays climate but its still important to me or whats life for?

 

Just like it was when I started to drive…in my sophomore year in high school (age 15) one semester of driver’s ed, needed to pass in order to take the California written test, after passing test, get learner’s permit at age 15 ½……somebody over the age of 18, had to be in the car while you drove it….

…..after I passed the school’s driver ed class, there was a three day driving class…my high school had two cars, and two or three teachers that rode with us…my teacher was the high school head football coach, trying to earn some extra money….driving class happened after school let out for the day….we drove in the city, county, and on the freeway…..

….the week of my 16 birthday, I went back to the Calif. motor vehicle office took another written test, and a driving test….I passed on the first try, and there were no restrictions on my license as far as driving (hours, daylight only, to school, work, store, and home), but I needed glasses….

My answer age 16 with some restrictions: no cell phones, no loud music, and no joy riding………wobbles

 

You hit the nail on the head. I think there should be a mandatory driver's road test every time your license is re-newed. AND there should be one every year after you turn 65. AND no Sunday driver's unless it IS Sunday and you're not on the highway! LOL

 

I think you should be taught to drive at an early age by your parents (if they are decent drivers) and not be given a license until you have kids of your own.

Your kids should be in the child seat in the back of the car when you take your road test.

 

The legal driving age should be old enough to know better, whatever age you manage to be when you get there, because 90% of people at all ages can't effin drive. they just think they can. Ever heard someone tell you, "ive never caused an accident, all those times were someone else's fault"..? Denial. People suck

 

I'll stick with 16, with some additions. In Texas they have to have learners permit for at least 6 months, then for a year no more than 1 other person in the car under 18. Good laws, for the most part.

You should hear the DeMolays argue the other side of this when they're doing mock legislator. There have been several insidents in the states where older people have confused accelerator with brake, and killed people. According to the kids, anyone over 65 (do we have 55, 45...) should be required to test every 4 years. Hey! I resemble that remark! Ungrateful twerps.

 

I am 17 and have had my license for roughly 6 months and I will say i am a very responsible driver, I follow all the rules, posted speed limits, always ALWAYS keep and eye out and won't talk on my cell phone and such and the only time I came close to an accident was when a semi ran a red light and almost hit me. Sadly there are very very fews cops in my area and most the the kids and even adults know this and use it to their advantage so very few get cought. I know someone who shall go nameless who is one of the most irresponsible girls I know like oblivious to everything and sour to everyone she doesn't like and is a control freak and what do you know she got a car and within a week totaled it. She walked away but broke one guys leg and paralyzed another from the waist down because she ran a stop sign. The worst part is she acts like nothing happened and doesn't feel bad at all its horrid. I realized how there are so many drivers like this when I took my test.

1. Parallel park
2. Turn left onto Rt. 40
3. Drive 100 meters and turn left onto a dirt road
4. make a K-Turn
5. Turn right onto Rt. 40
6. Drive 100 meters and make a right back to DMV
7. Receive your license

I was like woah, thats it? Take drivers ed test, 6 hours of driving with an instructor(which is nearly impossible to fail and not receive your permit), 6 months with a permit, and only a 2 minute test to get your license. I say just make the process harder and make it more of a mental game and maturity because as was said a few times in this thread that responsibility does have a LOT to do with it as shown by my story. Luckily I am responsible and I have 3 older siblings to learn from their mistakes and experience and my mother said she trusts me behind the wheel a lot more than any of my other siblings.

 

I think the Legal Age for your Drivers License should be 50, then I won't have to cuss and swear at all those yougens whipping by me and giving me the "Finger" because this "Old Fart" is doing the Speed Limit. Oh, and I can pick-up young chicks cause they need a ride (PS Don't tell the wife I said thatroflmaoroflmaoroflmao

 

BC your posts are always good for a good laugh and nothing more

 

roflmaoroflmaoroflmao

As for the driving age, 16, with restrictions for at least a year, then another test. Here in BC, after your learner's you receive an "N" license. If you aquire any two offenses during this time period, you loose your license for a period, then start at the beginning of the "N" again.

 

I like that way is sibeer, maybe add a year and a maturity test. Too bad its about 10 times easier here.

 

Sadly enough when I got mine here in Mississippi , I circled the block and had to nose into a parking space. 16 is ok as long as put the right kind of restrictions on and of course ENFORCE them too.

 

I'm 17, and I'm happy to say that I haven't had any drive problems, accidents....etc. (Knock on wood) I've got my license about a month after my 16 birthday and have had it about a year now. It's been a real convenience to not only me but my parents, being able to drive to school, practices...etc. being that we have 4 kids in our family. But.....

Yes there are a lot stupid teens out there, come on, I go to school with a bunch of them. There are good teens out there that drive responsibly but it seems like every kid in my class has either had a ticket or has been in an accident already.

I hate to say it, being 17, but I agree that the driving age needs to be raised.

 

Well this is ironic, I have an app today 11:00 to get mine renewed.
Can't do it on line if you have had an address change.
Give you the details later.
They'll probably say, "go home old lady,get yourself a rascal" Oh NO :cry

 

omg that video that was horrible
I think it should be 21

 

Wisconsin laws:
Learner's permit at 15.5 years old (must be in driver's ed)
6 months of learners permit, 6 hours driving instruction, 16 years old to get license.

When you get your regular license, u have several restrictions:
only 1 passenger (besides family)
no driving at night (except between wrk, school, and home)

after 9 months of this "probationary license" u get your full blown license.


Im 16 and a half myself, jst got my learner's permit last month. I've been driving farm machinary and such since i was 6, so im pretty comfortable in a vehicle.

The same can't be said for my friends though, most kids my age like to show off in their cars, have no respect for traffic laws/ law enforcement (it's the cop's fault i got a speeding ticket) and don't realize that traffic collisions are a leading cause of death in the U.S.

As far as raising the driving age: i'm against it, however i do feel that tests should be more through and more actual instruction in a vehicle. There shouuld be NO leanency on traffic violations for new drivers.

I think if u get a moving violation as a new driver, u should have your license suspended immmidiatly, and have to go through the whole system of driver's ed, learner's permit, restricted license, etc.

 

Yes, isn't that video awful. I used to pass this one driveway in rural Monterey County years ago and would always be uneasy approaching it. Must had some kind of ESP because one day here comes this kid free-wheeling down this driveway/road I was on a 2 lane with a vehicle coming in toward me in the other lane so no place to go. I stepped on the break the kid was skidding sideways and we were almost touching, looking each other eye to eye. I took my foot off the clutch and stood on the breaks both feet. The on coming car passed the kid jumped off his bike and my truck was stopped minus an inch or two rubber.
I never came so close to hitting someone else's kid in my life. My hand was extended to grab his neck when his answer to me asking him, "what the hell were you doing"? was I don't have breaks. I had to go home to stop shaking.

By the way, will get my new license n a couple weeks. :celebrate My picture better turn out got so much make up on look like a senile street walker.

 

A 16 year old may commit vehicular manslaughter and do no jail time, no sanctions, no censure, and in Canada we aren't even allowed to know the killer's name. A 21 year old that does the same will be a guest of the state, just long enough to ensure that he loses his job, gets divorced, has no future access to his kids, and will not be employable for the rest of his life. For the sake of the public, it may be desirable to postpone the solo driving license until at least 18. That's when the adult laws and liabilities kick in.

 

in the U.S. you can be tried as an adult even when your not 18, the age depends on the state, sometimes as low as 13.

 

We have the "Young Offenders Act". It's an interesting piece of legislation. If the young murderer, thief, pimp or drug dealer is your kin, you obviously like it. If you are the victim of any heinous atrocity committed by these young offenders, then even if they are apprehended and "brought to justice", you will never know. You won't be told and there is no legal way for you to find out. If you should discover any detail of the Young Offender's offence, sentence, or identity, then you must keep your effin mouth shut. To utter such information will cause law enforcement to arrest you, jail you and worse. There is a provision whereby a young offender may be tried as an adult. However, every time, there's a murder, a grape, an arson, committed by a young offender, there always seems to be light sentencing, probation, or community service, instead. If the Young Offenders Act were to be implemented in another country, such as the USA, I'm certain, that the USA would self destruct in less than a decade. At least the USA can put the teenaged bangers in jail for a couple of years for murder. When they get out, the cops can keep an eye on them, because they know their names. Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue, if you either couldn't put them in jail, or if and when they got out, you wouldn't know their names. That's our nightmare, now. Should the hip-hop culture of gangsta rap continue to pollute our youth or if the bangers move north in numbers, then we'll be in serious trouble.

 

That's a pretty good point.

 

I got my driver's license when I was 16-my permit at 15. I was one of 5 kids, and we all had our license at 16. I have had 2 accidents in my life-I'll be 54 in about 2 weeks. I was 16 when I had my first one. My car had just come out of the shop having the brakes replaced about an hour before the wreck. The cause of the accident? brake failure.

The second wreck? I was rear-ended by someone over 50.

The area where I live is a resort area. A barrier island with only two roads. We have over 4,000,000 out of state drivers here every summer. Hardly any of them seem to be able to see a speed limit sign or stop sign. Most of these drivers are well over 16. Couldn't afford to visit here if they weren't. I say make everyone take the written and driving test every time their renewal comes up.
I also believe that any person applying for a drivers license should be required by law to ride in an 18 wheeler for two weeks before they are allowed to take their tests.
Then they wouldn't pull out in front of one and think they can stop on a dime.

 

I'm terrified of driving. I'm freely willing to admit that. I drive below the speed limit, constantly double check everything and when I do go, I can't help standing on the gas to get the hell out of the way of oncoming traffic. I'm not afraid of the young drivers who think they're invincible.

It's the 'experienced' drivers who are careless and refuse to excercise common sense while driving, that terrify the hell out of me. The 'invincible' drivers are more considerate, and drive better, because they're looking to show off the skills they have. The 'experienced' drivers are too comfortable, and far too confident. They pull out without looking, change lanes without thinking. They whip around corners without even slowing. There's nothing that scares me more than an 'experienced' driver.

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The legal age? Should be lower. Much lower in fact. Around 14. Why? Because it should definitely be a learners permit for six years. But instead, we throw drivers into cars after 16 years of being passengers, and expect instant perfection. The same as we give them 18 years of being children, safe and protected, then throw them into society and expect perfect adults.

The exact same as we force them to wait 21 years then let them drink and wonder why they drink stupidly.