I got my drivers permit at 14, started driving to school at 15, and now at 22 I still have never gotten pulled over or had a accident. Nor do I drink and drive. Its all about responsiblity.
Poll: In the States you can have a drivers license at 16. That is much too young.
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I got my license at 16. I've never been in an accident, and have only been pulled over once for a warning in the four years that I've had it. It's not age that's the problem here, just a matter of maturity. You were 16 once; I'm willing to bet that you were fully capable of driving at that time, given the proper training.
What you're doing is taking one scenario and using it to describe everyone.
When I was 16, I bought my first car with my own money because I had a job. I could not use my parents as a taxi service. I had to make money to pay for my own lunch, my clothes, my books and my car insurance.
So yeah, I needed a car.
And asking people who live outside the country to comment on it is a little silly, unless they are Canadian because they are big and spread out like we are.
In Europe, apparently it's so close together that you can get anywhere you really need to by walking or by public transportation. Where I'm from, there was no public transportation and I lived in city of 100,000 people. It wasn't until I moved to California that I rode for the first time on a public bus. So people who don't live in the States who think 16 year olds should be bared from driving--I can't say it holds much water with me.
And, I've seen just as many people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and so on drive like idiots. It's not just teenagers. Some people are simply irresponsible. And they should be punished.
When I was 16, I bought my first car with my own money because I had a job. I could not use my parents as a taxi service. I had to make money to pay for my own lunch, my clothes, my books and my car insurance.
So yeah, I needed a car.
And asking people who live outside the country to comment on it is a little silly, unless they are Canadian because they are big and spread out like we are.
In Europe, apparently it's so close together that you can get anywhere you really need to by walking or by public transportation. Where I'm from, there was no public transportation and I lived in city of 100,000 people. It wasn't until I moved to California that I rode for the first time on a public bus. So people who don't live in the States who think 16 year olds should be bared from driving--I can't say it holds much water with me.
And, I've seen just as many people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and so on drive like idiots. It's not just teenagers. Some people are simply irresponsible. And they should be punished.
I didn't get my licence until earlier this year at the age of eighteen, I did it out of choice, because I was a stupid sixteen year old. Though it doesn't seem like much, those two years make a big difference.
For the most part [http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-30/ncsa/stsi/36_NY/2009/36_NY_2009.htm], driving accidents occur for people 21+ over. Partially because of alcohol age limits, partially because of the limited use most teenagers have over cars. Considering how very few accidents are the fault of 16-year-old drivers, I disagree that it's too young. I think this is over-sensitive watch-dogging.
Seriously? Age has nothing to do with it(okay, it has some effect) but my friend who's 21 drives faster then a lunatic and swirves into parking spots and goes past red lights and goes between lanes at high speeds, back and forth.
His oppinion? If a cop doesn't catch him, he didn't commit a crime.
Or need I remind you people around 20 and up can drink...
And I don't need to tell you how well drinking and driving works out.
I don't care what anyone says, there's no age limit for stupid.
His oppinion? If a cop doesn't catch him, he didn't commit a crime.
Or need I remind you people around 20 and up can drink...
And I don't need to tell you how well drinking and driving works out.
I don't care what anyone says, there's no age limit for stupid.
I live in British Columbia, Canada, we have a program here where at 16 you get you "L" (which stands for Learners) for a year after you get at least 85% on a driving test on a computer,with your L, when driving you have to have your red and black L on the back of your car, for other people to see, and you must have a Licensed driver that is over the age of 25 with you or you're not allowed to drive, after you have your L for a year, you can get you "N" (which stands for Novice)you also must pass a driving test with an instructor to make sure you are safe for the road, if you do, you may drive by your self but must display your N. With your N you can only drive with one other person, unless the member is a immediate family member or is over 25 with a full license, then you may have another person. After 2 years, you can get your full license after another driving exam. If at any part you get in a crash that is your fault or you get enough strikes, you get your N or L taken away from you, and have to restart your current step in the process after about 3 months I believe.
I feel that our system here works quite well, most accidents that I have noticed occur in my area don't actually include an N drive, infact, must accidents by my friends who have Ns are cause by their own car being old and worn and their breaks not working or the likes, because at this age, we can't actually afford a car that works wonderfully, we just take what we can get.
Also in the neighboring province of Alberta, their program starts at 14, we usually joke that their bad drivers, but thats mostly because their not used to the hills and mountains of BC roads. They also love to speed.
I feel that our system here works quite well, most accidents that I have noticed occur in my area don't actually include an N drive, infact, must accidents by my friends who have Ns are cause by their own car being old and worn and their breaks not working or the likes, because at this age, we can't actually afford a car that works wonderfully, we just take what we can get.
Also in the neighboring province of Alberta, their program starts at 14, we usually joke that their bad drivers, but thats mostly because their not used to the hills and mountains of BC roads. They also love to speed.
Here in New Zealand it is 15. We think we are terrible drivers here but statistically, on road toll at least, we are pretty decent. In saying that people under 21 make up a extremely large chunk of that road toll. Generally older people are more involved in drunk driving accidents though from what I understand.
There are some mature 15 year olds, but there are also a lot of immature ones who really should not be handling a vehicle. I know there are immature adult drivers too, but the portion of immature drivers is higher when you are younger. We don't put up with drunks. Since we have a chance we should try to do something about young idiots harming themselves and others.
Therefore I still think the age should be higher. Sorry for all young the people who are mature. It's simply some of your peers are not.
There are some mature 15 year olds, but there are also a lot of immature ones who really should not be handling a vehicle. I know there are immature adult drivers too, but the portion of immature drivers is higher when you are younger. We don't put up with drunks. Since we have a chance we should try to do something about young idiots harming themselves and others.
Therefore I still think the age should be higher. Sorry for all young the people who are mature. It's simply some of your peers are not.
There are two problems with teenagers and driving.
Firstly, most of them have been taught by their parents, not registered instructors, and have adopted their parents bad habits.
Secondly, their parents have raised them.. in general.. to lack responsibility, forethought and rules.
Combine these two things, both the fault of their parents, and you have a recipe for disaster.
This doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to drive, it means the rules need to change to require all learners to learn ONLY from registered driving instructors. Since requiring parents to view raising a child as teaching them how to be an adult seems to much to ask.
Firstly, most of them have been taught by their parents, not registered instructors, and have adopted their parents bad habits.
Secondly, their parents have raised them.. in general.. to lack responsibility, forethought and rules.
Combine these two things, both the fault of their parents, and you have a recipe for disaster.
This doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to drive, it means the rules need to change to require all learners to learn ONLY from registered driving instructors. Since requiring parents to view raising a child as teaching them how to be an adult seems to much to ask.
I'm 16, I live in Manitoba, and I work at a Gas station, so I see ALOT of stupid drivers.Denos said:
For example, yesterday, a guy that I know from school pulled up to the pumps in his rusted old shit-bucket of a truck, and he was absolutely hammered. THAT is ridiculous, seeing as he's only 17.
But, back on subject. In my province, we're allowed to apply for a learners "L Class" License at 15 1/2. I don't really think that's too early, seeing as they still have to be supervised by a driver who has had their full license for more than 3 years, but penalties are very harsh.
Personally, I don't think I'm all that bad of a driver, but that's not for me to decide.
I honestly love the whole "I was COMPLETELY responsible at my age!" or "I'm 16, and the best damn driver, ever!" That attitude is what gets people killed, the invincibility responses that people are giving. Hell, I've only driven a few hours and was highly, highly praised by the police instructors that I was a natural driver, extremely safe, and they honestly considered me to be a very good driver that deserves my license already. And you know what? I don't believe them, and I don't have my license yet, because I'm not going to delude myself into thinking I am great at driving and think I'm invincible.
I see too many idiots out there lately, like the one the OP called out, that even if you are an "amazing" driver, they can still take you with them. Usually, that's actually how it happens. People need to learn that cars should be respected and handled carefully, not some stupid toy to peddle to the metal at 100+ on a country road with friends because it's "fun." Ignorance, stupidity, mentality, hell these all are contributing factors. Raising the age limit won't solve stupid drivers, but I'm sure if it was raised to 18 there would be a noticeable lower number of deaths per year and hopefully people would actually learn to respect the car and not run down as many pedestrians as possible in the damn process.
Sorry if the reply is strong with emotions, but I have seen too many of the videos during my training and my family has a lot of cops that tell the stories of the teenagers, plus I nearly lost my ex fiancee because a sixteen year old decided to speed over 70 in a neighborhood and nearly killed her. This has to stop, and I don't care what is needed (e.g. raising the age limit, stricter rules, whatnot), but something is needed here.
Driving a car is not a right, it's a privilege.
I see too many idiots out there lately, like the one the OP called out, that even if you are an "amazing" driver, they can still take you with them. Usually, that's actually how it happens. People need to learn that cars should be respected and handled carefully, not some stupid toy to peddle to the metal at 100+ on a country road with friends because it's "fun." Ignorance, stupidity, mentality, hell these all are contributing factors. Raising the age limit won't solve stupid drivers, but I'm sure if it was raised to 18 there would be a noticeable lower number of deaths per year and hopefully people would actually learn to respect the car and not run down as many pedestrians as possible in the damn process.
Sorry if the reply is strong with emotions, but I have seen too many of the videos during my training and my family has a lot of cops that tell the stories of the teenagers, plus I nearly lost my ex fiancee because a sixteen year old decided to speed over 70 in a neighborhood and nearly killed her. This has to stop, and I don't care what is needed (e.g. raising the age limit, stricter rules, whatnot), but something is needed here.
Driving a car is not a right, it's a privilege.
Its not a problem of 16 being to young, its a problem of teenagers being stupid. They need to ban cellphones in cars here, and make the punishment major.
As a fifteen year old eligible take the driver's exam and get her driver's license in exactly 30 days, I have to disagree with you on sixteen being too low an age to drive. Also, the girl you encountered was an idiot, and not everyone my age is like that. Next, at least in the state I live in, talking on your cell phone while driving is illegal for everyone under 18.
I'm not really sure how to keep idiot girls like the one you saw off the road other than to raise the age to be able to get a license, and I'm sure if I was older I would agree with you completely, but as it happens I'm really looking forward to getting my license, so I really can't agree with you.
I'm not really sure how to keep idiot girls like the one you saw off the road other than to raise the age to be able to get a license, and I'm sure if I was older I would agree with you completely, but as it happens I'm really looking forward to getting my license, so I really can't agree with you.
In Massachusetts, from what I remember anyway, you can get your learner's permit at age 16 and you can't get your license until 184 days after you get your permit. You also need to log so many hours of driving and you must complete a driver's education course if you are to get your license at that time. However, if you wait until you are 18, you can get your license without having to take driver's ed, but you will likely have higher insurance rates than thos of an 18 year old who has taken driver's ed. Now when it comes to how teens are treated once they are on the road, if you are caught using a cell phone at all and you are under 18, you will pay a fine and have your license suspended for a period of time depending on how many similar offenses you have on your record. These laws I'm sure prevent many accidents, but obviously don't stop all of them. Laws do a great job of preventing people from making poor decisions, but are not very good at encouraging them to make intelligent ones.
Not too young, they just need to quit letting the horrible drivers pass 'cause they're good looking...
I always said that the worst drivers are under 26 & over 69.
Now I was a responsible driver; I was so horrible that I swore never to drive again, lest I kill somebody. I would literally panic every time a Semi was in 5 feet of the car.
Now I was a responsible driver; I was so horrible that I swore never to drive again, lest I kill somebody. I would literally panic every time a Semi was in 5 feet of the car.
In Ontario there is a "leveled" license system. You can get your G1 (learner's permit, a written test) at the age of 16. You are required to drive with a fully licensed driver (for at least 4 years) in the passenger seat, cannot go on major highways, and cannot drive at night. That lasts 8 months if you take a certified driver's education program, and 12 months if you do not. The next level is G2 for which you must pass a road test. The conditions of a G2 are (taken from MTO website:
-maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving;
-ensure the number of passengers in the vehicle is limited to the number of working seat belts.
-For the first six months, G2 driver aged 19 and under cannot carry more than one passenger aged 19 and under between midnight and 5 a.m.
-After the first six months, G2 driver aged 19 and under cannot carry more than three passengers aged 19 and under between midnight and 5 a.m. * These passenger restrictions do not apply if the G2 driver is accompanied by a full "G" licensed driver (with at least four years driving experience) in the front seat, or if the passengers are immediate family members.
In short, you can drive at 16, but only with pretty severe restrictions.
-maintain a zero blood alcohol level while driving;
-ensure the number of passengers in the vehicle is limited to the number of working seat belts.
-For the first six months, G2 driver aged 19 and under cannot carry more than one passenger aged 19 and under between midnight and 5 a.m.
-After the first six months, G2 driver aged 19 and under cannot carry more than three passengers aged 19 and under between midnight and 5 a.m. * These passenger restrictions do not apply if the G2 driver is accompanied by a full "G" licensed driver (with at least four years driving experience) in the front seat, or if the passengers are immediate family members.
In short, you can drive at 16, but only with pretty severe restrictions.