Driving age 'must increase to 18'

[BGonaSTICK]

Young drivers are more likely than others to be involved in accidents.

The minimum driving age must be raised from 17 to 18 to stop young people "killing themselves and others", MPs have said.

The Commons transport committee also wants learner drivers to spread lessons over a year before taking the test and a complete alcohol ban for new drivers.

Novice drivers should be banned from carrying passengers aged between 10 and 20 late at night, the report adds.

The government said it would not rule out adopting the proposals.

Young driver safety was already a priority, it added.

Government figures show that one-third of road deaths involve a car driven by a person aged between 17 and 25, although this group accounts for just one in eight licence-holders.

In 1992, there were 12.6 deaths on the road for every 100,000 motorists aged 17 to 20. By 2005, the figure had risen to 19.2.

Under the proposed changes, people could start learning to drive at 17, as is currently the case, but not take the test until they are 18.

The committee's report - Novice Drivers - says there should also be an "absolute minimum" number of hours of tuition and a "structured syllabus", rather than instructors cramming knowledge into students ahead of the test.

Training must also tackle "inflated self-confidence" by promoting "awareness of one's limitations in real driving situations".

Meanwhile, "hazard perception training", sometimes using computer simulators, should be extended, possibly to schools, to encourage better habits in young drivers-to-be.

Transport committee chairman Gwyneth Dunwoody, Labour MP for Crewe and Nantwich, said: "The time has come for a revolutionary change."

She added: "I think some males would like to drive at 11. But the reality is that we aren't talking about people having the odd crunch... but about people killing themselves and killing others.

"The other side is a rise in the number of young people killing young people in the same car."

The committee is calling for a zero alcohol limit for all drivers for a year after passing their test.

This group should also be banned from carrying passengers aged between 10 and 20 from 11pm to 5am, it adds.

But the move has not been welcomed by all young people.

Lauren Coles, 18, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, told the BBC News website: "This is stupid. I've been driving over a year now and I need my driving licence because I live in the middle of nowhere.

"I've lost two friends in accidents but I wouldn't change the law on the driving age."

[BGonaSTICK]

Originally Posted by BGonaSTICK

But the move has not been welcomed by all young people.

Stunning reporting! :clap: Well done and top marks to whichever journo-bumhead made this astute observation!

Apparently, kids will also be tested on their knowledge of rap music. Scores above 15/20 will attract a 6 month stamp-collecting ban. Women with excess facial hair will also be throw into the cooler for 14 days and fed gruel through a big straw.

Dogs will be required to take a three-part 'road-walking' test before being allowed to access the pavement via new 'pavement toll' entry points, and must carry 'doggy-toilet' biometric identity papers, so that dog-monitoring security cameras can 'taser' them for taking a waz outside of the new 'orange' restriction zones introduced as part of the 'flying-ant' terrorist threat.

Come on. Let's just be honest and say that the country can't afford the NHS in it's current ****ed up state, so we need to reduce the number of people that turn up with broken bodies and bent Citroen Saxos.

[/rant]

[Jimdefruit]

So when mum and dad go to a party with their youngsters and the 17 year old who doesn't drink and wants to drive them home, all the siblings have to walk home because they are under 20?

[madrat]

I have never heard so much twaddle in all my life. Its the driving standard that needs increasing not the minimum age >

[BGonaSTICK]

Originally Posted by Jimdefruit

So when mum and dad go to a party with their youngsters and the 17 year old who doesn't drink and wants to drive them home, all the siblings have to walk home because they are under 20?

LOL yes, it was that bit that really set me off :roflmao: