Driver License Restrictions?

[Jules]

Hey...

I heard about the debate to restrict the licenses of 16 year olds or novice drivers. What do you think about it?

Personally, I think it is a good idea. Also, I think teenagers should be restricted on the type of car they drive and the horse power.
Today, a young kid flew down a street in the town I was driving, going at least 75 in his 05 Mustang Convertible. Yet, he almost crashed into another car when he tried to change lanes. It was obvious that he was very insecure about simple things, e.g. changing the lanes. All he could do was hit the gas. Stupid! I'm not saying teenagers shouldn't have new cars, but a BMW, Mercedes, Mustang or other "race" car has nothing to do under a teenage butt, imo.

 

[Buckshot]

I think kids should have extensive schooling in driving. It isnt a required course in most places, yet it is something that almost all of us need. Although I hate the idea of publicly funded education, if we are going to have it, they should get at least 3 years of training. We fill kids heads with all kinds of crap that they will never use in life and some of the most important potentially deadly issues we dont teach.

 

[Sheka]

Im 15 and i have a learners permit and just got a car for my birthday. im a good driver and ive never had an accident and always wait for animals to cross the street Lol YAY FOR TEEN DRIVING!

 

[iheartsammy]

don't do it! I need a license when I'm 16 so I can get a job, and be able to go to the pet store to buy sam stuff, and so I can get to work!!!

 

[moxiegrl]

I got my liscence when I was 16 and didnt take drivers ed. my mom taught me. Parents are the ones who are responsible for how they teach their kids to drive...whether it be a car or life.

 

[Buckshot]

I dont get the age 16 law anyway. Most people are lousy drivers all their lives. It takes a lot of experience to drive well. Youth isnt the problem, inexperience, distractions, ignorance, narcotics and aggression is. I would rather be in traffic with a 13 year old driver beside me than a 40 year old who woke up ten minutes too late to get to work on time. The 13 year old doesnt have a clue what he is doing but the 40 year old doesnt have a care what he is doing. I know many safe and good drivers and none of them are under 30. I know many terrible drivers of all ages and none of them think they are anything less than great.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Not all kids at 16 are mature enough to drive, that's true. There should be extensive "schooling." Drivers Ed and lots of behind the wheel training with a professional, not mommy or daddy (if I drove like my dad I'd take a week to drive 3 hours away and if I drove like my mom I'd have way too many tickets under my belt).

And because parents spoil their children rotten, no one really has a say as to what car they drive. But why does a 16 year old need a v6 or v8 anyways?

What parents do for their children will always baffle me...

 

[MomOf7]

We have some restrictions in Wa. I think its a good idea. The statistics for teenage deaths and driving is sky high.

 

[Denaluvscorgis]

We have a law in Oregon that a 16 yr old can't have passengers in the car with them under 18 for six months after they get their license.

 

[Babyblue5290]

We have a law in Oregon that a 16 yr old can't have passengers in the car with them under 18 for six months after they get their license.

That's the same law they have in Washington. They also say you can't drive after 12 am till 4 am (not sure the exact times but somewher around there) if you under 18, but do you know how many people actually follow those laws? Not a whole bunch.

 

[LabBreeder]

I took drivers ed when I was 15 and had my license by 16. I was never involved in a wreck where I was the one driving. That being said, I don't think that kids under 17 should have "race" cars or big trucks. I also don't think that people over 70 should have a license. If they do, they should get an eye and hearing test done each year. To many elderly people and young teenagers are getting into preventable accidents. IMO

 

[darkchild16]

Im 18 and have been driving since i was 8. I have a v8 4x4 truck nothing new its actully the one my dad has had since i was born. And i have never been in a wreck where i was driving exept for the one time i hit a deer because he darted about 5 inches in front of me I think as long as they take and pass drivers ed they should be allowed to drive but with a catch you learn on a stick shift. Because if you are driving a stick shift you have to think when you drive. I have learned both and think that driving a stick requires more thought.

 

[Jules]

I didn't mean to say that all 16 year olds are bad drivers, because they aren't. But the parents teaching their kids how to drive is a bad idea. A lot of things will go in the one ear and out the other one...plus, who says that the parent is qualified to teach his/her child? The "soccer mom" mini vans with a hectic mother, clenching the steering wheel really scares me.

Toughing up the driving school and extending it would be a good idea.

 

[Fran27]

In France we have to go to driving school. 20 hours minimum, then often extra hours if the teacher thinks you're not good enough yet (yes, they are often biased...).

At 16, you can only drive if you have an adult with you in the car, but you have to be registered and you need to do a minimum of miles before being able to take the driving license test at 18. Or you can just do classes at 18 then get your driving license. Most people have to take the test twice to pass also, they're pretty picky.

Either way, if it's just to limit what cars teens can use... Seriously, what's the deal with mustangs, BMWs and all that when the speed limit is 55 anyway? Teen or not... Just IMO.

 

[bubbatd]

I believe in the restrictions..... there are way too many teenage wrecks. It's been proven that reactions are slower and they are easily distracted. Driver's Ed is good , but experience is the best teacher ( with a parent ). I steared on parents lap and drove at 13 in the country with them. No driver's ed and been driving for 60 years without an accident.

 

[LabBreeder]

I've seen good teenage drivers and I've seen bad ones. I've also seen good elderly drivers and bad ones.
Not all parents should teach their child, that I agree with.

I don't think a stick shift is hard after you know how to drive it. Once you know how to drive, you don't need as much thought. I can drive an 18 wheeler (9 or 10 speed) and a 5 speed truck. Neither require more thought than driving any other vehicle once you know what to do and how to do it safely and accurately. I'm alot more safe in an 18 wheeler than in a 5 speed simply because it's 80,000 lbs and alot more dangerous if you aren't paying attention. Either way, once you know how to shift, drive and pay attention while doing so, it's not difficult anymore. JMO

 

[darkchild16]

The reason i say you have to pay more attention is because you have to listen to the engine and judge it right so you dont stall lol. But id definatly agree a 18 wheeler would be harder lol my old babysitter used to drive one and he take us in it sometimes and all those instruments on the dash would scare me But i do agree on the restrictions on sports cars to many of my friends have them and i will not ride with them. another thing you could do is make them only allowed to drive regular cab pickups. really hard to have passengers in there (part of the reason i like it). And make it illegal to have anyone in the bed.

 

[joce]

I don't think restricting type of car or horsepwower will help cuz whos gonna watch that,not to mention a bunch of kids(or us bored idiots with extra cars ) can make jsut about anything fast.

I do support the law some places have about the number of passangers. My brothers frineds are jsut starting to drive and it scares the hell outta me seeing all those kids piling in the car and the tires squeeling around the corner. And joey wonders why we don't want him in the cars

He is supposed to go get his temps next week. here you need a six month period with your temps and drivers ed. My parents did nothing for me. My mom jsut signed the skip that said she drove with me and thank god the driving instructer actually taught me something!

 

[casablanca1]

From what I've read, it's been pretty well proven that teenagers and young adults are, on average, worse drivers than adults. There really are biological/chemical reasons, so please don't get offended if you're the world's best 16-year-old driver. I believe there are two basic reasons

- teenagers are actually less able to concentrate or ignore distractions
- teenagers are more risk-prone, more inclined to take chances and not believe in their own mortality

I heard about the debate to restrict the licenses of 16 year olds or novice drivers. What do you think about it?

In my state, you get a permit at 16 that limits you to driving with a licensed driver during the daylight. At 17, you can get a real license. So I think limiting the 16-year-old license is perfectly doable.

Personally, I think it is a good idea. Also, I think teenagers should be restricted on the type of car they drive and the horse power.
Today, a young kid flew down a street in the town I was driving, going at least 75 in his 05 Mustang Convertible. Yet, he almost crashed into another car when he tried to change lanes. It was obvious that he was very insecure about simple things, e.g. changing the lanes. All he could do was hit the gas. Stupid! I'm not saying teenagers shouldn't have new cars, but a BMW, Mercedes, Mustang or other "race" car has nothing to do under a teenage butt, imo.

I tend to agree. One of the worst accidents I ever heard about involved a teenager in his dad's luxury SUV. He was on the cell phone, playing a video game, and ran a stop sign onto a major highway He hops out of the SUV, still on the cell, telling his pal how he just t-boned this car. The car's passenger had to scream at him to hang the heck up and call 911.

 

[sparks19]

I know in London you get a "graduated license"

To start you HAVE to drive with someone who has had their license for over 5 years. Other than THAT person, NO passengers. No driving at night, no driving on highways. That applies to anyone getting a new drivers license. No matter if you are 16 or 60.