I would go for 18. Sixteen was okay for rural, agricultural life. Because there was not much to run into when you were 16 and stupid. But nowadays - too many cars, too many people.
"I have always thought 16 was to young to drive."
I don't mind them raising the minimum age for a license just as long as they'll agree that 16 is old enough to consent to sex ;-)
You said -- "I have always thought 16 was to young to drive. I believe the driving age should be raised to at least 17."
Well, here in Texas (when I drive around, visiting down here), I see a lot of Hispanic drivers doing the craziest things on the road (like going the wrong way down a one-way street; turning left from the middle lane when on a one-way street, speeding, not staying in their lane [my daughter says they take their half out of the middle of the road...], guzzling a cold one [or two or three...] in rush hour traffic, and all sorts of other hazardous driving actions).
I would take those drivers off the road, first -- before I would take the teens off the road. I don't think they "know" how to drive, while -- at least -- the teens *do* know how.
Regards,
Star Traveler
Raising the minimum driving age will cause more problems than it will solve. I received my learner’s permit at 15 1/2 in Los Angeles. I grew up watching my parents drive, and when I took the wheel I felt comfortable, even in rush hour traffic. When I turned 16 I got my license, but no car, I used either of my parents’ cars when I needed to go somewhere. My father has a Mustang with a manual transmission, he tossed me the keys one day after getting my license, I got in, and drove away like I had been driving a stick for years (I have never stalled it). I am now 21, and I have never gotten a ticket (not even parking), or been in an accident (people have almost hit me). I have also driven a fair share Thailand and Ecuador, and if any of you have driven in a third world country, you know how it can be. Growing up in Los Angeles has helped my driving skills a lot; I am horrified to see what passes as “driving” in other states.
This summer I will turn 22, and I will purchase my first car. I don’t think I would be the driver I am today if the age restrictions were raised. If anything there should be a maximum driving age, generally old people are oblivious to what is going on, and put others at risk. I know two people killed in separate incidences by old drivers that shouldn’t have been on the road, but no one killed by teenagers.
I'm all for tougher testing, stricter road rules, probationary periods, etc. for young drivers. Scrutiny with teeth will give some of the hotheads a timeout before they hurt someone.
But completely revoking all kids' driving privileges isn't reasonable scrutiny, it's conviction by demographic without a trial.
Vehicles of first year drivers should be required to display brightly colored decals on all sides to let the rest of us know who to watch out for.
My 18 1/2 year old son was killed in a car accident. When is old enough?
Too young to drive? That's subjective to the individual in question. Too young to insure? FACT! Man, it's just plain astronomical to insure a child. Painfully, so. I don't know how I'll manage to insure my son when he's old enough and save extra for his college. I may give him a choice between the two and let him work and save for school on his own. I already have the college plan and by then it will be paid off for many years, but there's always extra expenses.
We'll see, but I think he will be intimately familiar with the terms "Pedestrian" and "Public Transportation". Heck, gas will be $12 a gallon by then anyways, if the Chinese allow us our ration at all...
They talk about this every year in Georgia and it never happens. This story is garbage, the legislature is only in session from January to March.
"but it could well be the key to saving young drivers' lives."
This sounds like the same tripe the "ban guns" crowd tries to feed the American public.
More nanny-state crap, IMO.
In Kansas they can drive at 14. With a lot of restriction.
Probably a good idea still.
"teenage drivers are killing themselves"
Sorry to say, this is another problem that many of todays parents can be blamed for. Parents should know their children well enough to judge their maturity level and grant driving privileges accordingly. Buying a kid a new, speedy car is also not in the childs best interest if the parent wants them to live. Our son was very responsible, but he still ended up with one of our old cars and was told that any accidents or tickets that resulted in increased premiums would go on HIS tab. He'll be 21 in Jan. and has kept his driving record "clean."
I think 16 is too young to drive in Atlanta. In the rural parts of the state, it's probably fine but how do you make the distinction.