Young menace drivers

[Toby]

Posted this in response to a thread "over there" but the more I think about it the more brilliant I think it is so what do we think?

Basically, due to the number of moronic young drivers on the roads, it's been suggested before that the driving age should be raised significantly, to something like 21, so that the vast majority of people have a bit more maturing before they get behind the wheel. The theory is that a great many teenagers, mostly boys, simply don't have the required maturity at that age.

Whilst I actually support such a change, I realise it'll never happen so how about an alternative...

Rather than the current system where, if you get six points or more in your first two years, you lose your licence, how about a system where, if you amass more than a certain number of points in a certain time-frame, you are banned until you're 21?

Ok the exact number of points and time periods involved would need to be tweaked but imagine how this would focus the mind! You could get behind the wheel at 17 but you'd have to be very careful for the next four years as, if you fell foul of the rules by driving like a moron, you'd have your license taken away and wouldn't be able to drive until you were 21, when hopefully you'd learned common sense and restraint.

It's basically a system whereby we're saying to adolescents "driving from 17 is a priviledge - abuse it and you'll have to wait until you're 21". I think this could work very well - young idiots who are suddenly faced with the prospect of not being able to drive until they're 21 would calm down and hopefully by the time they're 21, the combination of added maturity and force of habit over the past few years would mean they don't immediately start driving like loons.

Opinions? Am I talking bollocks?

[Will]

I like it. A lot. Though it must be said I drive rather fast and like to be a bit of a loon - however I trust my driving and have the experience to back up my decisions (i.e. not making dangerous over takes). I also feel that people should spend a significant period of time on a bike - it really helps observation and develops anticipation as well as teaching to make the right decisions. My reactions and road reading has become very much improved since riding a bike, doing advanced driving tests didn't really help make me a better driver in my opinion though it did teach me a little, but not as much as spending time on 2 wheels. I know that the practicality and possibility of that happening is very very low and nigh on impossible really.

However, along with your idea, how about limiting the cars that young drivers can drive? From a power point of view. It's relatively easy to enforce, just refuse insurance to young drivers who try to insure a certain type of car. Of course these young silly drivers can kill just as easily with a rusty heap doing 20 mph, it's the way you drive not necessarily the speed....

I wonder also if education has anything to do with it? Is there a way of getting the point across to young drivers? How about offering them more advanced lessons? Or a mandatory amount of time/mileage before they are given their licence?

I like your idea Toby - I think it could very easily be implemented and work - I just wonder if people do become that more sensible as they get older, I've had some twats on the road driving like complete pricks who were definitely around my age or older - I guess it's just in the genes of some people. Though maybe educating them when they are learning might help stop them developing into the ***** they become.

London doesn't help the driving quality of people - I know I a bit more enthusiastic with my driving otherwise in London you just don't get anywhere - people are all in a rush and it's all "me me me"...

Unfortunately there isn't one answer/solution which will work across the board or that will resolve different people's psyche.

[killerkebab]

The thing is banning people won't help them learn to drive properly - they'll just drive like morons when they turn 21

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by killerkebab

The thing is banning people won't help them learn to drive properly - they'll just drive like morons when they turn 21

Only some of them. Hopefully most of them will have matured by then. There's a lot of growing up done between 17 and 21.

I'd also make them retake the test again at 21 if they'd been banned since then. Added incentive to behave having to shell out again.

[LeperousDust]

I think it's a great idea but it probably would have resulted in me only learning to drive again at 21

[mejinks]

In principle, its a fantastic idea.

In reality, kids who get banned are just as likely to not care and drive without a licence. I think upping the limit to 21 will mean there will be more inexperienced drivers on the road.

Maybe we could have a learning system, where kids can learn to drive when they are 17 but sit a course where they are constantly assessed until they pass at 19.

Its funny though, because I taught my friend Becky (18) to drive and she is a cracking driver and I have no problems being a passenger with her driving.

Jenny on the other hand is 28 and passed her test last week. She is asking me questions like "which lane should I be in" and "what gear should I be in" and nearly crashed the car twice while I was with her. Every time she offers to take me out, I always end up driving because she is useless ( I don't tell her this). My point is that it doesn't matter about age, its general competence at driving which seems to be totally lacking. I think that the whole driving instruction industry should be re-examined and more formal training given before letting people loose on the roads.

Im not a perfect driver, but in my experience, driving standards are getting worse. I believe that if you can't pass your test within 3 attempts, you shouldn't be allowed to retake it any more as driving definitely isn't for you.

I also believe that more instruction should be given on skid control and winter driving instead of stupid things like "where does the oil go"

Just my 2p worth....

[Blackstar]

Maybe instead of driving for her you could help her, she has only been driving a week?
When i first passed i asked the same sorts of questions it is very different driving by yourself than with an instructor. She just isn't as confident as the girl you have taught.
Being a young driver, i'm 19 now and have been driving a year, i don't think stopping me driving until i was 21 would have done anything but annoy me. I enjoy the freedom i have now.
A continually assessed course would be pointless as it would be very expensive and no one would be able to afford 2 years of driving lessons.

[Zirax]

Upping the age will make no difference imo. Even the threat of taking a limited number of points will have minimal effect. The truth is that they drive like loons because the think they can get away with it, and yep a fair amount of the time they do. Bar the odd time a camera gets them or they do it infront of a copper.

An example is my cousin. He started at 17 in a nova (inc bucket seats and spoiler) and drove like a madman. He is now 25 in a rover ZR and his reason is that he is unliekly to get caught. All the kids on mopeds see that they can get away with loads of stuff as unless they act a fool infront of a copper then its fine. Subsequently they get in a car and carry on.

I'm no angel, but I have a rule that in towns I will damn well stick to the speed limits. B-roads and motorways when clear are fair game to put your foot down.

[mejinks]

Originally Posted by Blackstar

Maybe instead of driving for her you could help her, she has only been driving a week?
When i first passed i asked the same sorts of questions it is very different driving by yourself than with an instructor. She just isn't as confident as the girl you have taught.
Being a young driver, i'm 19 now and have been driving a year, i don't think stopping me driving until i was 21 would have done anything but annoy me. I enjoy the freedom i have now.
A continually assessed course would be pointless as it would be very expensive and no one would be able to afford 2 years of driving lessons.

I make allowances, really I tried, but she flinches when being overtaken or when a lorry is close by and refuses to drive faster than 50mph even on motorways. I blame the driving instructor and the examiner. Of course now she has passed her test, you can't tell her anything like "look in your mirror!!!" or "there is a parked car there" I really truely do not feel safe and its not just her.

As for a continually assessed, I can't think of a better idea. I stand by my assessment that driving standards are below par with safe motoring.

I still think that 17 year olds should be taught, but not allowed on the road until they are 19 without adult supervision.

I think that if she has to ask questions like what lane and what gear, then she hasn't been taught at all well, which backs up my point about driving standards being so lax. I mean these people are driving killing machines in incompetant hands.

[Blackstar]

If she is that lax then she shouldn't have been able to pass her test.

To me to seems totally impossible for an "adult" (bearing in mind that an 18 year old IS an adult) to accompany someone in a car until they are 19. It is impractical as well, i drive to uni during the day while my parents are working. My trips down to Martin's would be impossible or just pointless as an adult would need to come with me and then need to travel back up.
Also since i am using myself, what would happen if a person didn't learn until they were 18 or older? What would you suggest then?
I'm using myself as an example but i guess i'm a bit different to most young drivers.