Uninspired for ages. Just keeping my hand in.
(I know I should attribute my facts, I just culled these from the BBC web site.)
And just for the record - I don't read the Daily Mail.
I feel like a Daily Mail reader.
To many plaudits, except among teenagers, the government have announced that they are considering raising the legal driving age to eighteen. Thought is also being given to banning newly qualified drivers from carrying passengers. Government figures show that one third of road deaths are in the 18 -25 year old age range, even though they account for only one eighth of the driving population. Ministers claim this move could save up to one thousand lives a year. Very laudable.
Last week, my local paper reported on a young man (let's call him Ryan) who had appeared at the magistrates' court. He was found guilty of dangerous driving, speeding, driving without a license and driving without insurance. At least he hadn't stolen the car. Not a thief, but an utter and complete selfish bastard.
So, a young man with a clear disregard for the law and his fellow towns-folk. The punishment: points for his non-existent license, a small fine and a six month driving ban. I nearly choked on my Stella. What will he care that he has points on a license he does consider necessary to have? What will he care that fifty pence a week will be taken out of his giro? Most of all, what will he care he has a sixth month driving ban? He clearly didn't think it important he wasn't supposed to be on the road in the first place.
This takes us back to the proposed government initiative. How many more young people will drive as unqualified, uninsured drivers putting themselves and the rest of us at risk? It's an impossible thing to quantify, but there will be some.
I may be alone in this, but I think most teenagers are a responsible lot. I have one. He's a good lad - and so are his friends. Why defer a life skill that many are capable of coping with admirably while at the same time allow the selfish bastard who appeared in court last week to wander off and race around the streets the very same day? I suspect Ryan and others like him are more than likely to kill someone eventually.
Unlike most Daily Mail readers who probably want Ryan hanged, or at least have his accelerator foot amputated (with no anaesthetic) I don't have an easy answer. As always in this inward looking, anally retentive country we'll pass broad sweeping laws that effect all except the ones who don't give a damn. We'll all be nannied to death while Ryan and his mates whoop it up and kill any of us who are left.
It's enough to make you read the Daily Mail.
|
Written by andybyers (171 comments posted) 6th August 2007 | They're thinking of raising it [I]to{/I] 16? What age can you get a license in Britain now? Everyplace I know, you have to be 16 to get a license. Personally, I think it's a good idea. The older a person is, the more likely they are to have acquired some critical judgment in life, and that's the real issue on the road. A few years ago, my province, Ontario, introduced a system of graduated licenses, with probationary periods and secondary tests. I thought they were just a pedantic money grab until a buddy of mine, well into his 30s, made a second stab at getting his (he blew numerous attempts when he was 18 and just gave up).
It took him 8 tries to get it.
Suddenly the idea of raising the bar didn't seem like such a bad idea, particularly after I let him practice a few times in my car. His timidity on the road confused other drivers, and in fact he did wind up having an accident a little over a year after he got his license. So... I'm in rush to put two tons of glass and steel in anyone's hands. As for Ryan, he shouldn't be allowed to have a license until he's legally an adult, and if he's caught driving without one again, it should mean prison. His call. |
Written by andybyers (171 comments posted) 6th August 2007 | Rather, I'm in NO rush.  Where's the edit button on this damn thing? :D |
Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3331 comments posted) 6th August 2007 | Milton keynes, Phil?? whatever happened to Tunbridge Wells, that hotbed of right wing reactionary fevour?
The Mail sells over 2 million copies, they can't all go to Tunbridge Wells can they? But I'm sure a sound Bolton lad like you wouldn't even line his budgies cage with it.
I think the Govt are ambivalent about driving offences. Their main source of income comes from motoring fines so they don't want to stop lads like Ryan driving for too long. The odd fatality is a small price to pay for the income they collect. The police have for the most part just become a revenue collecting arm of the exchequer.You never have to look far it's always down to money,I'm afraid.
cheers
Jane |
Written by Phil (6683 comments posted) 6th August 2007 | 16! Small typo. I meant eighteen. Off to edit now.
Thanks for reading. | Hi Phil
Written by jean.day (2266 comments posted) 6th August 2007 | I am not in favour of raising the driving age but I think the Australian system of gradually giving new drivers more responsibilities is a good one.
But my beef is with not making older drivers retake their tests, even knowing that before long it will mean that I have to do it too. I know many very unsafe drivers of 80+ who happily sign the form saying that they have no problems with driving. Still, making people take a test might not work either. My father-in-law had a stroke when he was in his 80's so he had to retake his test, and the stupid fools passed him. I couldn't believe it. He was senile. What amazes me is that so many of us survive on the roads. |
Written by Fledermaus (3248 comments posted) 6th August 2007 | Over here the minimum has always been 18. I heard that in Belgium on the other hand, driving licences are only obligatory since last decade or something, so there it's mainly old people who drive dangerously.
The main problem with teens driving is I think that some teens are so full of testosterone they feel a need to show off their courage or their stupidity. On the other hand, in some Mediterranian countries they never loose that attitude... |
Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 7th August 2007 | I completely agree with Jean about older drivers; they may have been driving for ages, but a lot of them do ridiculous things like pulling out without looking, braking hard around corners instead of slowing down, forgeting to indicate, etc. Even in the U.K., many older drivers never took the test, learning by doing, and although this has its good points, they are woefully behind given today's more complex road conditions. I know of a driver in his 80s who thinks that the maximum speed on ANY roundabout is 10 mph. Picture him on one of those really big numbers; the nuisance factor he poses is bad enough, but this man is a real danger to himself and others.
But I have to say that I am in favor of them raising the driving age. Most newly qualified kids are competent drivers, but Andy Byers is right: they don't yet have the critical judgment, even at age 17. In fact it is worse than that: recent studies have shown that teenagers' brains go through a period of development that can make it difficult or impossible for them to make rational decisions. This lack of critical reasoning, coupled with the desire to go with the herd, means that the chances of a teenaged boy having an accident skyrockets when he has friends of the same age in the car. The more friends, the higher the risk.
By the way, do you know what the minimum driving age is in Kansas, by the way? Fourteen. Personally I think that's just asking for trouble. In some states, it used to be thirteen... |
Only registered users can rate and write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
Previous item
