Driving Test Age Could Rise To 18

[Doug P]

All ages manage it but the young do it far more... one fifth of the people killed or seriously injured on roads in 2011 were involved in a collision where at least one driver was aged under 25....

Some interesting stats here.

- Young motorists twice as likely than average to have a crash
- Average cost of an accident involving a young motorist twice as high as for other motorists
- Accident involving a young driver five times as likely to involve an injury
- Young motorists four times as likely to have a conviction for careless driving than the average motorist

Some more in-depth findings by the ABI, but with different recommendations.

Based on extensive analysis, the ABI recommends the following measures:
• A minimum 12 month learning period before the driving test can be taken, enabling drivers to undertake supervised practice without an incentive to rush to take the practical test.
• A ban on intensive driving courses.
• The lowering of the age at which young people can learn to drive to 16½ years.
• The introduction of graduated driver licensing to include a restriction on the number of young passengers that can be carried by a young driver and a restriction on their driving during night-time hours.
• A lowering of the blood alcohol concentration for drivers aged between 17–24.

the only thing i have a problem with is the no passengers thing ,those sensible young drivers that get a job and pass their test will have problems ,they won't be able to get to work should a curfew be introduced and they won't be able to give work mates a lift to and from work should the no passengers bit be introduced ,far better to just limit the power of cars for new drivers ,even older drivers

[Gary L]

Originally Posted by Russ

Just like those not bothering to put the effort in to actually reading what I said.

Well to be honest, confusion must have been a factor in it.
if it wasn't, then she wouldn't have done it.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Gary L

Well to be honest, confusion must have been a factor in it.
if it wasn't, then she wouldn't have done it.

If that's the case I'm thinking of it was suggested the cause was drug related in which case again it's something people could grow out of, move on from etc.

The kind of confusion where you can't understand road signs, or why everyone else is driving in the opposite direction, flashing their lights, beeping horns, gesticulating wildly - that's not something anyone is likely to 'grow out of'.

The whole system of driving laws needs to be overhauled in my opinion. Yes to what Derek has suggested but also compulsory re-tests every 5 years for all drivers, this changing to annual tests for over 65s.

[Matthew]

If they want to change anything they need to limit what size engine they drive. If they put the limit up its only going to be a different time the same thing happens that what they say currently does.

Limit the engine and passengers they can carry i.e. 1 other passenger and no more problem solved as there will not be as many egging them on to do stuff.

What they need to do is watch for the older drivers that are no longer fit to drive, been past 3 today that should not be on the road and could barely see where they were going.

Insurance premiums are still going to be sky high but that's not all because of you drivers, its the older idiots that drive uninsured. Most youngsters are put off driving now because of the cost and they know they cannot get away with it where as an older person can.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Russ

If that's the case I'm thinking of it was suggested the cause was drug related in which case again it's something people could grow out of, move on from etc.

The kind of confusion where you can't understand road signs, or why everyone else is driving in the opposite direction, flashing their lights, beeping horns, gesticulating wildly - that's not something anyone is likely to 'grow out of'.

The whole system of driving laws needs to be overhauled in my opinion. Yes to what Derek has suggested but also compulsory re-tests every 5 years for all drivers, this changing to annual tests for over 65s.

re-test every 5 years -changing to yearly -the waiting list for a test would be about 40 years thankfully no one listens to your opinion

[Russ]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

re-test every 5 years -changing to yearly -the waiting list for a test would be about 40 years thankfully no one listens to your opinion

Really? They seem to manage MOTs quite easily.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Russ

Really? They seem to manage MOTs quite easily.

garages doing driving tests now are they ?

[Russ]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

garages doing driving tests now are they ?

Not as far as I know but I'm pretty sure the whole process isn't arduous enough to put people off getting an MOT, to the point that the government considers it a bad idea.

Your car's roadworthy-ness is tested annually - why not yours too.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Russ

Not as far as I know but I'm pretty sure the whole process isn't arduous enough to put people off getting an MOT, to the point that the government considers it a bad idea.

Your car's roadworthy-ness is tested annually - why not you too.

i buy a new one every 3 years - no test needed ,as for me the doc gives the once over annually and specsavers make sure i can read and since i have been driving for 40 years accident free i feel i must be doing something right

how many motors have you totaled /bent/dinged /fenderbended .

Originally Posted by Russ

Not as far as I know but I'm pretty sure the whole process isn't arduous enough to put people off getting an MOT, to the point that the government considers it a bad idea.

Your car's roadworthy-ness is tested annually - why not yours too.

it's certainly workable ,the driver won't need to be taught to drive as they do the first time round a re-test would be about etiquette and safety most of which would take place in a class room ,i think every 5 yrs would be enough though

[Russ]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

i buy a new one every 3 years - no test needed ,as for me the doc gives the once over annually and specsavers make sure i can read and since i have been driving for 40 years accident free i feel i must be doing something right

A car being new does not guarantee it is roadworthy. Driving for 40 years accident free does not make someone a safe driver. It's possible of course but equally it could mean people have managed to get out of the way in time. I've been playing darts at my local for 25 years and I'm still rubbish at it.

Originally Posted by papa smurf

how many motors have you totaled /bent/dinged /fenderbended .

I'm considerably younger than you so have only been driving for 20 years. But I've managed to avoid any road accident in that time too, although I have passed my test twice if that's any help.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by martyh

it's certainly workable ,the driver won't need to be taught to drive as they do the first time round a re-test would be about etiquette and safety most of which would take place in a class room ,i think every 5 yrs would be enough though

etiquette -people try to drive over you when your crossing the road around here .

Originally Posted by papa smurf

i buy a new one every 3 years - no test needed ,as for me the doc gives the once over annually and specsavers make sure i can read and since i have been driving for 40 years accident free i feel i must be doing something right

how many motors have you totaled /bent/dinged /fenderbended .

Well that's the thing isn't it , i passed my test in 1983 and having just sat and passed my LGV test i was quite alarmed at what i didn't know .