Young Drivers?....?

Question

What are your solutions to young drivers being in a high percentage of car accident?

My opinion is biased as I am a newly qualified driver. I don't think its ok to raise the age, make the test more difficult or apply curfews. Older people had their chance at passing and getting their freedom why can't we?
I think that there should be a strict probationary period where you shouldn't be able to carry too many passengers, a limit on the engine size of your car and the pass plus scheme made compulsory.

Answer 1

Kayleigh
I'm over 60 and did not even have to do a test [then in Ireland] before getting my first licence. And I had it a year before it was legal because my Dad signed me in as 17 when I was actually 16. I had been driving off-road for about four years at that time.

So I am not going to back anything to make things harder for you or any young person.

There are differences between then and now. THEN a young person would never be able to run a new car. Mostly they went round in 15 year old bangers that could out accelerate only bicycles and the milk float.

NOW, kids are driving power to weight which back then was not yet fitted in rally cars. There is a case for cooling hot young lads and ladettes. But what?

I'd say [like Northern Ireland] they might be obliged to wear a restricted (R) sticker for the first year and maybe be banned from night driving and motorways.

Answer 2

I agree that the passengers should be limited to family only for the first 6 months. Then go from there. I don't think very young drivers, for the first year should be out past 11:00 at night unless they are at work or unless the parent gives written permission with phone numbers and addresses whare the parent is and can be reached. I know it sounds complicated but, I just feel a lot of young people do not fear anything and they should not be going around with a car late at night doing God knows what and putting everyone's life at risk. You have to remember that we had slower cars, my first car was 4 cy. and had a carbuerator problem.haha The cars today are fast and very dangerous, plus there are a lot more people on the roads. More interstates and killing someone else is the problem. I hate young people dying at all but, killing others is even worse. Any speeding, accidents or whatever should mean loss of license or community service or drastically cutting back on when a teen can drive. There must be standards that will make young people think about what their actions cost us and them and their families. My kids first cars were 4cyl. older, and didn't have a lot of speed to them. They were not sports cars. to me that is doing a disservice to your teen if you give them a sports car. Let them drive the old family car or buy a cheap one and let them work for their car and insurance. That way they will appreciate what they have and not abuse it. Squeeling tires! That's crazy, but you see it all the time. Now if they have to replace the tiresby working for the money, they wouldn't be doing that. So, I have a lot of feelings about it and I don't want to punish all for what a few do but, something must be done to save lives. Sorry to go on and on.... bye.

Answer 3

you can't raise the age of driving as this is unfair on the sensible ones like I was! The fact is they would drive stupidly when they are 21 the reason they don't is because they have had a minor accident in the past and realised that it is dangerous! and they have had experience of driving
If your a dangerous driver and die it's your own fault and you won't be passing on you stupid genes, I feel sorry for who they crash into so maybe we should limit the size of car they can drive so if there is a accident they will bear the brunt of it.
by the way Americans yes you should raise the age to at least 17

Answer 4

Why are they concentrating on young people?
I think you will find that the vast majority of all accidents are caused by "Older Drivers" who's skills and training are to a lower standard and Mental agility is not as good as it was. I personally know of a man in his 60's who wrote off 5 cars in 14 weeks due to his bad driving. The last crash got him a hefty fine for not showing "due care and attention". These crashes also left 5 other people with written of vehicles etc! Most of the people he hit where under 25 and so did not have the experience required to avoid him hitting them.
Roads are more crowded. Cars are faster etc. Hard to nail the problem with just one solution.

Answer 5

If what you say is true...why not only allow them to drive lower cc cars..without any modifications and only a simple radio with maximum volume for one year. Give them a special sticker in their window..saying how do you rate my driving phone whatever...and if they get so many bad calls to a central office then let the police take a look for themselves.

Then they would have nothing to prove or show off with except that they have gained a years driving experience.

We were all young drivers once so I do think we should not penalise the young....but some do have only a vehicle and driving license to prove their street cred.

Answer 6

You may not like this, but I suggest raising the age at which people are allowed to buy alcahol to 21 (and place tougher penalties on those that do), at least then young drivers and their friends won't be bevvied up before they get in their cars. Even if the driver is sober, sometimes its the friends acting up in the back that cause the problems by distracting the new driver from what they are meant to be doing.

Answer 7

few things:
1. Some kind of speed control device not allowing more than 45-50 mph.
2. The device that you breath in for car to start - make sure they are sober
3. Most teens gets into an accident when they drive their friends somewhere, so another device to measure the noise in the car and shot off the engine if it gets too loud..
4. Give them license starting from 18 years of age..

Answer 8

higher the age limit to 21, make them take standered lessons of i hour per week and not these "intensive courses", make the lesson longer, 40 mins is not enough! limit the engine size, and when having your theory, make a video of parents and loved ones who have lost people to speeding youngsters, maybe that will home a bit more!
also remember though that because of this problem normal teenagers who pass their test and drive normally are going to get penalised for this too, but that's a risk that should be taken

Answer 9

wouldn't it be nice to turn the radio on first thing in the morning and not hear M1 accident, M25 accident, A1 accident. People need to consentrate on the road, it's not only young drivers, a majority of accidents are caused by driving without due care and attention.

Answer 10

Longer permit periods with more restrictions. Let them get more time behind the wheel before they start piling their friends into the car, in my experience that's when teens get wreckless.

Raising the driving age won't help a bit, it will just make the new age group inexperienced!