Driving Test. Age Level 18. This Is Why!

[jaymanek]

this story has been around for ages and a year makes no difference IMO...

 

[gina2201]

I wouldn't say a year would make much, if any, difference, like someone else mentioned, by the time you have taken lessons and passed your test, alot of new drivers are almost 18 anyway. And you can't really tar everyone with the same brush. I'm not sure how many are considered these reckless or stupid drivers but I bet there are a hell of a lot more that are sensible, careful and curteous. And I bet alot of the idiots don't even bother to have a licence anyway! Let's not forget there are some arrogant mature ignoramus' out there too!

I don't know how they can enforce or improve things but it does annoy me when a sweeping generalisation is made.

 

[219]

He's not in real terms.



25 less 17 gives a maximum of seven years. If the average driver drives until they are say 75 then that's 50 years.

So if 50% of those killed are under 25 that means that they are seven times more likely to be killed than those over 25.

I'd say that's pretty significant.

That would be based on an assumption that the driving population is made up of equal numbers of each age year .

Since there are probably fewer drivers in the upper age ranges , and I'd guess possibly more young drivers due to population explosion and higher uptake of driving licences than perhaps in the past , then the calculation might not be so simple .

One solution might be to restrict young or new drivers to cars with a certain horsepower limit , as with motorcycles . Although it is still true that any fool can drive fast enough to be dangerous , limiting the performance of cars available until a more advanced test has been passed and for a first year anyway might reduce the damage done if they do crash.

 

[RedDog]

I’m being told that you don’t have to indicate if you think nobody is going to benefit from it which I think is wrong, or maybe it’s me that’s just used to driving the old way.

Well, it's been like that for the last 30 years at least! If nobody is going to benefit from the signal there's no point in giving one! At least in this way people have to make an effort to look and use their mirrors. If people indicate every time it then becomes an automatic reaction which people do WITHOUT looking and therefore can cause an accident when they manoeuvre!

 

[ringway]

Well, it's been like that for the last 30 years at least! If nobody is going to benefit from the signal there's no point in giving one! At least in this way people have to make an effort to look and use their mirrors. If people indicate every time it then becomes an automatic reaction which people do WITHOUT looking and therefore can cause an accident when they manoeuvre!

I indicate sometimes without realising and I say it is a good habit to have.
As long as you have MIRROR signal then manouvre signaling every time must be beneficial.
Remember, there may be just one occasion when you miss something but indicate automatically and in doing so avoid an accident .

 

[timskemp]

I doubt it's any different for a 17 yr old than it is for an 18, 19 or 20 yr old. It's the first year of driving that's the problem. From the controlled environment of driving someone elses car with someone else sat next to you being your spare eyes and ears, often with their own brake pedal, you get lucky on a 1 hr drive and don't **** up. The rest of your life is up to you.

Intentional or not, stupidity or mistake, the first year of flying solo is a dangerous place. I doubt raising the minimum test age would make any statistically significant difference, just like speed cameras haven't.

I'd like to see better training. The test is not enough, there should be minimum for number of hours of driving with a qualified instructor, including night, dual carriageway, motorway, country lane driving etc. Others disagree but I think skid pan training also.

 

[ringway]

I doubt it's any different for a 17 yr old than it is for an 18, 19 or 20 yr old. It's the first year of driving that's the problem. From the controlled environment of driving someone elses car with someone else sat next to you being your spare eyes and ears, often with their own brake pedal, you get lucky on a 1 hr drive and don't **** up. The rest of your life is up to you.

Intentional or not, stupidity or mistake, the first year of flying solo is a dangerous place. I doubt raising the minimum test age would make any statistically significant difference, just like speed cameras haven't.

I'd like to see better training. The test is not enough, there should be minimum for number of hours of driving with a qualified instructor, including night, dual carriageway, motorway, country lane driving etc. Others disagree but I think skid pan training also.

You're right.
Without being discriminatory, how many lady drivers who have passed the test, do you hear say "well I'm ok on short runs but I won't use the motorway, it frightens the life out of me"?

 

[timskemp]

You're right.
Without being discriminatory, how many lady drivers who have passed the test, do you hear say "well I'm ok on short runs but I won't use the motorway, it frightens the life out of me"?

I've experienced it, I was on the Heathrow spur roundabout (M4 J4) when a young girl, first time on motorway, didn't realise she'd gone down the slip until she entered the roundabout and drove into the side of my car.

 

[ringway]

I've experienced it, I was on the Heathrow spur roundabout (M4 J4) when a young girl, first time on motorway, didn't realise she'd gone down the slip until she entered the roundabout and drove into the side of my car.

Case Rested Then

 

[kwakdonut]

im a 19 year old female driver and yes their are alot of young idiot drivers out there but what i can not understand is why they let 16 year olds have 50cc motor bikes they are the real danger.

Even though they are restricted to 30mph and can't go on Motorways???

I would have thought an 18 yo in a Saxo who's just passed his(her) test with three friends in the car would be much more dangerous - or am I stereotyping here?!

I would favour ALL potential new drivers to have a year on two wheels to appreciate the road before going to four wheels.

 

[crockers]

Perhaps this is the answer??

.........................


In Georgia, a recently enacted graduated licensing program includes a legal blood- alcohol limit of 0.02 for drivers under 21, a 12-month mandatory period for holding a learner's permit, a 1:00 a.m. curfew for young drivers, and a minimum age for unrestricted license eligibility of 18. In addition, young drivers cannot carry more than three passengers under 21, unless the passengers are immediate family members.

.....................

The last sentence makes a lot of sense to me....

 

[RedDog]

Remember, there may be just one occasion when you miss something but indicate automatically and in doing so avoid an accident .

Indicating does not necessarily mean you avoid an accident! It's observation. signal and then a safe manoeuvre which avoids an accident. You may think I'm splitting hairs with you but it is very important. I have investigated hundreds of serious, many fatal accidents and observation is the critical skill. Hence why I say to indicate when neither a motorist nor a pedestrian would benefit is pointless and CAN lead to a lazy and careless driving style.

 

[Dieselman]

..In addition, young drivers cannot carry more than three passengers under 21, unless the passengers are immediate family members.

.....................

The last sentence makes a lot of sense to me....

You're just thinking of making it simpler for the life insurance companies.....

 

[ringway]

Indicating does not necessarily mean you avoid an accident! It's observation. signal and then a safe manoeuvre which avoids an accident. You may think I'm splitting hairs with you but it is very important. I have investigated hundreds of serious, many fatal accidents and observation is the critical skill. Hence why I say to indicate when neither a motorist nor a pedestrian would benefit is pointless and CAN lead to a lazy and careless driving style.

Surely if you are pre-programmed to Mirror, Signal, Manouvre you are likely to do just that at every point, which surely can't be a bad thing because you are paying attention whilst driving.

If you didn't indicate every time you would get into the should I shouldn't I cycle and miss the odd one here and there.

I CAN see your point but I'm ending up splitting hairs too now.

It is a contentious issue and at the end of the day I should think the answer to safe motoring is relaxed alertness.

 

[crockers]

Surely if you are pre-programmed to Mirror, Signal, Manouvre

Trouble is it's maneuver, signal with one finger, then use mirror to adjust their hair....

 

[RedDog]

If you didn't indicate every time you would get into the should I shouldn't I cycle and miss the odd one here and there.

If you can understand the " does it benefit another roaduser ? " concept then you plainly wouldn't. However this is going round in circles so maybe you should carry on with your method and I will carry on with mine!

 

[timskemp]

alcohol limit of 0.02 for drivers under 21, ]

Sounds sensible for everyone, especially as in the US it's illegal to drink until 21 in many states.

Stiffer penalties for causing an accident while drunk, uninsured driving and dangerous vehicles should be imposed. I'm not one for limiters and curfews though - for many people the driving license is a big enabler for getting into the workforce.