Raise the age of driving to 18

[Flat.tyres]

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_po...te_Driving_age

there are suggestions that the minimum age for driving may becaome 18 and drivers should have to undergo more rigerous tests and restrictions.

while I think this is a good idea, I think that the figures are misleading.

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6247732.stm

looking at this related story, we find that 25% of driver deaths are under 25 meaning that 75% are 26 and over.

isn't it more likely that inexperienced drivers will make more mistakes and while I agree with the proposals, it will always remain the case?

I would suggest restricting drivers with less than 3 years driving experience to a maximum litreage of 1.1 and power of 50 hp to slow the little buggers down. we also need to have a insurance scheme that young drivers can afford because £1000 for a baby car is taking the piss and encouraging them to drive without it.

[ShiftingGears]

16 is good.

[Alfa Fan]

The idea of limiting people with less than 3 years driving experience to cars upto 1.1 litres is stupid! Some of us need more powerful cars to tow equipment/etc that a 1.1 Micra/Corsa/etc just wouldn't manage. Maybe a more sensible limit of 1.8 & 150 bhp or similar would be appropriate?

[BDunnell]

The idea of limiting people with less than 3 years driving experience to cars upto 1.1 litres is stupid! Some of us need more powerful cars to tow equipment/etc that a 1.1 Micra/Corsa/etc just wouldn't manage. Maybe a more sensible limit of 1.8 & 150 bhp or similar would be appropriate?

I don't see how that would make the slightest bit of difference, to be honest, unlike the 1.1-litre limit. By the way, I'm not saying that I agree with that idea, just making a point.

What needs to happen is that young drivers need to realise that there is no need to 'show off'. Quite how this can be made to happen, I don't know. I suspect that young drivers will always be a problem to some extent for this very reason. After all, there are lots of things that you naturally get out of your system as you mature. Luckily, the vast majority of young drivers are perfectly sensible.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Young drivers are already restricted to small engined cars because they can't afford to be insured on anything bigger.

Personally I think that driving lessons should be cheaper but you should have more of them. Because they are so expensive, it encourages people to have as few as possible.

The driving test should also be changed. They should be more specific and consistent over what is a the difference between a minor fault and serious fault, whilst implementing night driving and motorway driving on the test. Some kind of personality test should be involved as well.

But on a slightly different note I don't see where the issue really is. Why is our government so anti-driving and why does the media make us feel like our roads are so dangerous.

THE FACT IS, OUR ROADS ARE PROBABLY THE SAFEST IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD!!!!

http://www.abd.org.uk/safest_roads.htm

Road fatalities per 100,000 population

France 14.4
Italy 11
Germany 9.5
UK 5.9



Motorways — Deaths per billion vehicle-km.

Italy 12.8
France 5.4
Germany 4.5
UK 2 (thats right,2!!)



Motorway usage
(Average daily vehicle flow)

UK 64,900
Germany 45,800
France 29,400
Italy 26,000



A-class roads — deaths per billion vehicle-km

France 20.6
Germany 19.5
United Kingdom 6.2



A-class roads usage

UK 17,200
France 10,100
Germany 9,500

[Daniel]

Young drivers are already restricted to small engined cars because they can't afford to be insured on anything bigger.

Personally I think that driving lessons should be cheaper but you should have more of them. Because they are so expensive, it encourages people to have as few as possible.

The driving test should also be changed. They should be more specific and consistent over what is a the difference between a minor fault and serious fault, whilst implementing night driving and motorway driving on the test. Some kind of personality test should be involved as well.

But on a slightly different note I don't see where the issue really is. Why is our government so anti-driving and why does the media make us feel like our roads are so dangerous.

THE FACT IS, OUR ROADS ARE PROBABLY THE SAFEST IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD!!!!

http://www.abd.org.uk/safest_roads.htm

Road fatalities per 100,000 population

France 14.4
Italy 11
Germany 9.5
UK 5.9



Motorways — Deaths per billion vehicle-km.

Italy 12.8
France 5.4
Germany 4.5
UK 2 (thats right,2!!)



Motorway usage
(Average daily vehicle flow)

UK 64,900
Germany 45,800
France 29,400
Italy 26,000



A-class roads — deaths per billion vehicle-km

France 20.6
Germany 19.5
United Kingdom 6.2



A-class roads usage

UK 17,200
France 10,100
Germany 9,500

I agree Something needs to be done about people's attitudes because 2 deaths per billion vehicle km is 2 too many so to speak but I think you won't get the road toll down much further though.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I agree Something needs to be done about people's attitudes because 2 deaths per billion vehicle km is 2 too many so to speak but I think you won't get the road toll down much further though.

Checking for sarcasm...................

Is he mocking me .................................... ................................. .................................... processing .................................................. .. .................................................. ....

[Flat.tyres]

The idea of limiting people with less than 3 years driving experience to cars upto 1.1 litres is stupid! Some of us need more powerful cars to tow equipment/etc that a 1.1 Micra/Corsa/etc just wouldn't manage. Maybe a more sensible limit of 1.8 & 150 bhp or similar would be appropriate?

what the hell are you towing hock:

a 1.1 car will do 90mph and tow a small trailer.

are you telling me that theres a growing trend among the 17 to 20 year old population for corderys, knitted jumpers and a overwhelming desire to join the caravan club?

well I never

[Flat.tyres]

Alfafan on his Hols

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAfZ1N56qjY

[Brown, Jon Brow]

what the hell are you towing hock:

a 1.1 car will do 90mph and tow a small trailer.

are you telling me that theres a growing trend among the 17 to 20 year old population for corderys, knitted jumpers and a overwhelming desire to join the caravan club?

well I never

What about my brother for example. He is a farmer and every week needs to take trailer of animals (weighing over 3 tonnes) to the auction.

He needs a decent sized engine in is car to do his job!! He can't use a 1litre Nova.