Should the age limit to drive in the United Kingdom be shortened?

I believe the age to drive in the United Kingdom should be 16.

What is the significance of the age seventeen?

There is nothing really.

Why should it be seventeen?

Hmm

Any thoughts, views, arguments on this?

 

Even if the age of 17 doesn't have any special significance, you haven't demonstrated why 16 would be any more appropriate. The reality is that teen drivers are far more likely to get into accidents. Car crashes aren't victimless crimes - lower the driving age in the UK by a year and you'll see a huge increase in road deaths, and for what?

 

Why not make it 18 then? If your just pulling out randoms figures. The younger you are, the more immature you are. Thus more likely to show off to friends, or speed and make incorrect decisions. That is why they wouldn't lower it.

 

I understand your points, however, in other countries you can drive at 16 and maybe even 15 I think?

And personally I do not think you mature that much from 16-17 (mentally).

I know that from personal experience (friends, siblings, for example).

If 16 year olds could drive at that age, maybe they would get off the streets, stop causing havoc, and do something. As they would have a mode of transport which would be reliable.

I understand that some 16 year olds, will certainly not be responisble enough to drive, yet I bet there going out there smoking and drinking!

And if they are not mature enough, fair enough, but why should they be able to move out of there guardian, or parents home, and live on there own.

They would be responsible for there whole life. Bills, food and so on.

Seems silly to me.

 

There is no point to lower it, because even at 16 is young for driving. All it means is more opportunity for deaths.

Younger people will probably take it as more of a game than reality ... Not all, but some anyway.

 

I think it should be 16 because... well actually i dont know why it should be 16....

 

Its 17 where I live as well. I think it should be lowered only if you have a job, if your 16 you should be able to drive to work.

 

Hmm yeah I like this idea.

 

Blarg.

 

Its 16 where I live but more car accidents.
I see it better if they raise the age limit.

 

It should be 16, beacuse when you are 16, theres a thing called sweet 16 i might have to put it that way. 17 has no meaing to it, when your 17 you dont do anything special, but when your 16 thats when u cop all the chicks and that. And you can also smoke legally when your 16.

 

I think when it comes to driving a 50cc motorbike I do, With such a small powered bike the only one you could really do harm to is yourself.
So the choice should be yours to ride it at a earlier age.

On the other hand I don't think the driving age for driving a car should be lowered.
Giving the responsibility to a more immature person would be irresponsible on behalf of the goverment.

Why would they risk lives just so you cant get to work e.c.t a little faster.

 

Its 17 where i live and they are thinking of raising it to 18, its 18 in some of the states of Australia. I think it all depends on the roads and everything where you live though. I think you can drive by yourself at 15 in New Zealand? But theres barely any traffic on the road and not many accidents. Even so i think 17 is a more mature age for driving since then they would have almost completed their schooling and would have a general awareness of what could happen from disobeying the road rules.

 

As Sythe said, It should go by being able to pass the Test, If you can pass a Scientifically designed test, No matter your age, 15, 18, 20, You should be able to obtain your license.

 

its should be put up if anything the ammount of 17-25 year old that crash compred to older driver is huge also the cost of lessons,car,insurance and fuel not many would be able to afford anyway

 

we have 16 in america and we seem fine? I agree with you

 

It's 16 here when I live, 15 for permit. I think that it should be raised even, you live in a more populated area. Such as in Florida, they went from 16 too 18, only because you become more responsible, apposed to insurance companies needing to use more money, and for you, if there is an accident the whole road it blocked...there are so many small things that will keep the age up.

 

17? lol

It should diffently be 16.

 

No!. I think it should be raised to 20. Reckless teenagers are being killed for drink-driving! They should probably be more mature to drive and not do foolish things which will affect their lives!