Where Would You Set The Driving Age?

[KidGoofy]

One thing I do believe they should do is make the testing harder, both paper and driving. The paper testing was literally common sense for me...and the driving test could be passed by the worst of drivers.

 

[imabrat]

the huge gaping hole in that plan is the fact that if people are terrible drivers when they're learning how to drive, then the 18 year olds will be terrible drivers becuase they will be inexperienced.

and the juvenile justice system covers all under the age of 21.

Yes, I realize that but regardless, an 18 year old is likely to be more mature than a 14/15/16 year old when it comes to driving. They have more experience in life. It doesn't mean no 18 year old is going to make bad choices when driving. But when you look at the statistics, older drivers (as in early 20s) are much safer than teenagers.

Not all minors (as in under 21) are considered juveniles. Most states legally define juveniles as 18, while some define it 16 and 17.

Obviously, you and I don't agree and won't agree. So, maybe we should just agree to disagree.

ok here in pa i think its 16
the should make it 15 but you must to a maturatity test one that is like would you do this and that and you should have to pass this test no matter what age you are

They do that already, it's called your permit. There's no way to judge someone's maturity.

 

[Sparx]

Yes, I realize that but regardless, an 18 year old is likely to be more mature than a 14/15/16 year old when it comes to driving. They have more experience in life. It doesn't mean no 18 year old is going to make bad choices when driving. But when you look at the statistics, older drivers (as in early 20s) are much safer than teenagers.

Not all minors (as in under 21) are considered juveniles. Most states legally define juveniles as 18, while some define it 16 and 17.

Obviously, you and I don't agree and won't agree. So, maybe we should just agree to disagree.


They do that already, it's called your permit. There's no way to judge someone's maturity.

thats because they've been driving longer! they have more experience.

 

[imabrat]

thats because they've been driving longer! they have more experience.

Yes, I know that but that's not what I meant. I mean as in drivers who get their permits/licenses later. Someone who got their license at 24 is more likely to be more cautious than someone who got their license at 16. They've had more time to mature and really understand what a responsibility they're taking. Sorry for the poor wording.

 

[Becky2005]

I just hate to see young people scapegoated because old people have a lot of accidents too so my risk of a traffic accident will go up as I age, but we don't have restrictions on people over 65 because that is recognized as discrimination.

It depends on the state. Our state does re-testing on you after you get to a certain age. I just looked it up & everyone over 75 has to take a road test. Then there are restrictions as you get older. Licenses are only good for 2 years in your 80's and then if you get to 87 your license is only good for 1 year & you have to re-test every year.

Not quite 65 but they do put restrictions on the much older drivers here at least for testing them to make sure they can still drive safely.

I am not a teen but just happened to see this thread and as we are attempting to find a Driver's Ed. course for my DD that actually fits her schedule (NOT easy to do with school starting), it peaked my interest.

 

[Disney.Ears]

In Jersey there are SOOO many rules for drivers. (permit at 16, provisional license at 17, auto license at 18) Which is annoying, but I totally see why they'd have those rules.
But I think the driving age should be 16. That's when teens are getting jobs and it's such a pain to have to rely on your parents to drive you places. They should make the tests harder or something to make sure there are safe drivers.
I hope that made sense. xD

they really don't let you have a car? there are special parking lots at my campus for just dorm students.

Around here, freshman living on campus aren't allowed to have cars either.

wow! grade 8! that seems SO young!!!

If I took driver's ed in 8th grade NO ONE would be able to concentrate on something like that lol.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Sparx, I understand that you are frustrated with what IAmABrat is saying; but think for a moment please. If you need your parents' permission to drive under 18, is legal driving age really under 18?

I have some very strong opinions myself. Even though I am old enough to have children older than 18, I am thinking that 18 might be a little old to begin classifying someone as an adult. Prolonging childhood past all biological indicators confuses both parent and child. I am old enough to remember when teenage brides were not unusual. I remember when guys always failing in high school weren't kept there in detention but encourged to drop out and go to work on the loading dock or something. Maybe that is the way it should be. Maybe we should not be treating 16 year olds as if they were closer to 2 than to 22.