The Age Of Driving

[AB Editor]

 

This poll is closed.

Should the legal age for driving be changed?

• Yes, raised - 192 votes
• 57%
• No, it should stay the same - 137 votes
• 41%
• Yes, lowered - 5 votes
• 2%

See final stats

Stats until: 13:18 Thu 25th Apr 2024 (Refreshed every 5 minutes)

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[Octavius]

Of course, but interestingly I have seen a Parliamentary report published in March this year which claims the following:

"Of the 6,207 car drivers killed or seriously injured in 2011:
9% were aged 17 to 19;
27% were aged 20 to 29;
43% were aged 30 to 59;
9% were aged 60 to 69; and,
12% were over 70.

So I would say that 20 - 59 year olds are also a major issue, as are the over 70s. Maybe its more abiout road over crowding than anything else?

[ChillDoubt]

Your figures give the ages of drivers who were killed or seriously injured.
They don't give the ages of drivers who CAUSED or were deemed at fault for the accidents, deaths and injuries as a result of road traffic collisions so appear a little misleading.

[Octavius]

Fair point Chilldoubt, but that information generally comes from insurance companies who have a vested interest in justifying premium lifts.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

I voted no...because although age is a contributing factor to incidents,I would consider education and better roadcraft a more important factor. I would like to see a better designed practical test taking in fast pace driving....m/ways..dual carriage ways...night driving etc.

[pixie373]

Octavius, one of those age ranges is two years and one is 29 years!

[coco14]

whats the difference in common sense between a 17 and18 not much i was training driving instructors for over 15 yrs and have been teaching learners for over 20yrs. ask why do we have fun fairs " because speed excites" and the danger of the ride.

[coco14]

When I passed my test my father showed me how to pass the test. 20million less cars on road and most people were in work so the car would not be on road. Now a days the learner is better equipped to drive more instruction than say someone from 20 yrs ago

[SHARP70]

I needed my driving licence for the job I got at 17 years 10 months.
I am now 61 and the only accident I have had was at age 57.
A drink driver came through a red light and the camera flashed.
Mind you I think I was very lucky as I averaged over 20,000 miles per year till I was 60 when I retired and I am still doing 10,000 miles a year.

Bill

[dizmouk2009]

I don't think it should be lowered for one reason and one reason only; people under the age of 17 don't need to be driving. There are other means of transportation such as busses, trams and trains. You lot who think that the age should be raised because of 'reckless driving' have your 'heads in the clouds'. Age doesn't mean anything. It's all about experience. Nowadays there is such thing as a driving test; go back 30+ years and it wasn't a test, it was a joke. If you made the legal age limit for driving a motor vehicle to 25 you would have the same statistics; 25year olds with no experience behind the wheel. A driving instructor only teaches you how to pass your test. Whether you are 17 or 71 you will always learn something new and become wiser.

[gottalaugh]

yes, raised