Driving at 16 OR 18 years of age?

Drive at 16, I can't see why not.

I got my driver's license when I was 15 and didn't think that was too early.

Drive at 16..because..I don't want to wait any longer...And we can drive at 15 1/2 so..ha

I don't really care what they do in California and I can hardly comment on this without knowing more about it. I'm hardly going to waste my time doing research on the topic.

Around here, the law is that you can get a drivers license when you are 16 if your parent signs for you. Otherwise you have to be 18. That strikes me as a sensible law.

whats a CONGREEMEN?

I don't think there should be a fixed age. People should be allowed to drive when they're competent to drive.

> whats a CONGREEMEN?

I first read it as CONGEEMAN which I think would be a man made of rice porridge.

I think they should find a way to measure maturity rather than depend solely on one's physical age. Lots of dumb-asses on the road that are way older than 18.

Sidebar: If maturity was the measuring stick for issuing drivers licenses, there would be a hell of a lot more young women drivers on the road than young men drivers.

I think 16 is fine. Kids are generally capable of driving at that age, and it gives parents a break. I know my parents were happy not to have to keep chauffeuring me around.

> |> whats a CONGREEMEN?
>
> I first read it as CONGEEMAN which I think
> would be a man made of rice porridge.
>

Sorry, I said it all in qual.............. ugh

18 years old. Kids under 18 years old don't need a car. I don't think kids are responsible enough to drive or own a car. If they have a part time job during the school year, they can get a ride, or take public transportation, or walk.

Don't drive, bikes are in!

Blondie20 says bikes are in!!!!!

16 years of age is a good age to drive, but I really don't have an opinion about driving at 18.

1. It may encourage young people to find alternate means of transportation since most have at least a part time job they'd have to get to even before they are 16.
2. It may encourage kids to stay in school since they can't drive to get to a job anyway.
3. It may bring down road fatalities since a lot are caused by reckless youth. Although you may say it pushes back driving experience two years it also ASSumes a child may be more mature at 18 than they are at 16
4. Parents won't have to put their living at home children on their insurance thus having more spendable cash (keeping the government happy) Okay this one's a reach.

Okay that's all I've got.

18, and we don't do homework.

I don't think any one under the age of 18 should be able to get a license with out a high school diploma. I don't think permits should be issued to anyone with less than a C average either. The problem is kids seem to think they are adults after they get a license and some don't realize that an education is more important than a damn car. If you can't handle the responsibility of going to school and maintaining a C average then in my opinion, you can't drive a car responsibly.

too many cars already. i really wish public transit was better in my area. i'd definitely utilize it. but no, it sucks.

Drive at 18.... I think 16 is too young. Let the kids grow up a little more before taking theirs and everyone else's lives into their hands by getting behind the wheel. My mom told me that she got her license at 14, because that was the minimum age in Idaho back then.

Amen, brother!!

> 18 years old. Kids under 18 years old don't need a car. I don't
> think kids are responsible enough to drive or own a car. If they
> have a part time job during the school year, they can get a ride,
> or take public transportation, or walk.

Why aren't younger teenagers (Not kids) not responsible enough for a car?

Come up with your own damn reasons. We're not doing your homework for you!

I'm going to go in the middle and say 17.

I’ve been in Europe since 1987, and you can’t drive till you are 18. There are fewer accidents as a total, but the injuries are more severe because of the speeds. Your license is good for life (or till you do something stupid to lose them), and it costs quite a bit (about $7000 in Germany). There used to be a few ways to get it much cheaper, but those days are gone. It is thought by the Europeans that you are an adult at that 18 and you are more responsible (snicker snicker). They also let you drink, vote and join the military at 18.

Over here it's 17.. wierd huh

I see no problem with driving at 16.

Bad survey. No cookie.

I think young people haven't the life experience to really know the consequences of their actions...they think they're invincible, nothing can happen to them. Young teens can own a car, but they're really not emotionally/mentally capable to handle the responsibility of a car, especially a boy. For instance, my 16 year old grandson, he'll be getting his license soon....he has a lead foot. I let him drive my car when he's in the car to give him experience. He also drives with his parents, and my husband. I have to constantly tell him to let up on the pedal when turning curves. Only experience will make him a better driver. I guess for boys it's the male hormone thing when it comes to the heavy pedal...I don't know. He is otherwise a good driver, just likes to accelerate. He already has bought his own classic Silverado pickup....at least it's not a sports car, maybe he'll go slower in a pickup.

How is he meant to get any experience if he shouldn't be driving?
I agree with the schemes where extra lessons are required to drive at night or where younger drivers can't own a very powerful car, but banning young drivers all together is ridiculous.

Where I come from its 16, I think you get your permit for a year first though... so for you and your state, 18 may be a bit better then 16.. I really cant say.. but I hate those stupid boy racers at 16 who speed and just show off... I know we shouldnt judge someone by their age, & there is most definitely mature 16 year olds out there just as there are nitwit 18 year olds and older still.. I just think it might be better if you are that much older.. maybe?

You need another option. "Other"....for those, like me, who do not know. I believe 16 with restrictions. Curfew driving with the curfew (restrictions) lowering as the age increases from 16 to 18. This would impact high school transportation in a major way...increase in bus service. Increase in bus drivers. Changing the age would impact a lot of society.

I like your second point!

I have no problems with a teen driving as long as he is with an adult. I understand he has to get experience, but a young person behind of wheels of a potentially lethal hunk of steel, scares me. My daughter has lost friends due to young drivers. One was a friend who was driving home at approx. 2:00 in the morning. He was rear ended by a young teen who was drinking. The young drunk teen was going 100 miles per hour. My daughter's friend saw him from the rear mirror, thought he'd pull to the side of the road so the person would pass him, but the drunken teen, followed his lights, and rear ended him on the side of the road. My daughter's friend was killed instantly. The other driver lived. I did learn if you see what you think is a drunk driver in your rear view mirror...turn off your lights, and pull to the side of the road until he/she passes....and call 911. A drunk will follow lights.

18 because a car is a dangerous tool that should not be used by someone who is not legally defined as an adult.

Is it just me or are the standards of surveys really dropping? How are these bad surveys consistently getting through?

Incidentally, drive at 17, like what the Brits do.

> You need another option. "Other"....for those, like me, who do not
> know. I believe 16 with restrictions. Curfew driving with the curfew
> (restrictions) lowering as the age increases from 16 to 18. This would
> impact high school transportation in a major way...increase in bus
> service. Increase in bus drivers. Changing the age would impact a
> lot of society.

They do have curfews..Atleast where I live..And we have to have our parents in the car with us when we get our permit(15 1/2) until I think a month or two after we get our license(16 and 3 months)..We have a bunch of restrictions..And in fact..they just raised the age some more I believe..So now it's 15 and 8 months and 16 1/2..

Drive at 18. Only because I was so reckless driving at 16. I was always in such a hurry. And I was fearless. Not enough life experience to know how dangerous cars can be. A few car accidents later (and tickets) and I'm doing the speed limit.

I like your idea about driving with somebody, but what you say about drunkards also raises the question about what age people should be allowed to buy/drink alcohol

I do have one thing to say about young drivers. You can get them to extent to understand about not doing anything to hurt themselves, but it seems more difficult to understand that their behavior can hurt other people. I livein a neighborhood with a lot of teens, a lot of young kids and people walking their pets. Basic suburb, not sidwalks. The roads are winding and hilly. I cannot count the number of times a teen has zoomed around a bend or over a hill coming inches to running over my dogs while I am walking them- in the middle of the day! They would have one mad b**ch if they ever do manage to do this. I also worry about the younger kids.

If I had my way, alcohol would not be sold....all it is, is a liquid, legal, socially accepted drug, that kills many people. Alcohol destroys the body internally, the mind, and the spirit. For what redeeming purpose does it serve?...but to dull ones senses, drive people to do what they might not do normally, due to bleeding the oxygen out of the blood to the brain.

And to make people generally happier and more confident. I don't drink (I can't stand the taste) but I respect that others may because it's a treat for them. Drinkers should be taxed more. What's your opinion on smokers?

You want me to help you...by choosing one of your choices...?
Other If the sixteen year old can read, write and spell as well as an adult, than let them drive and be a productive element of society. If they are incapable of spelling out the entire word "you", or even if I may be so bold to assume that they even have someone in qual explaining to them that "I" iis capatalized consistantly, 'you' is spelled out, ie following simple directions...if that is difficult for a sixteen year old, than they MUST stay busy with their skoolin and speeling before they are allowed to drive as an adult.

I didn't intend for the creator to take any of that personally...
btw, what the fudge is a CARR?

I hope you drive better than you write.

I personally have never smoked. Three out of four of my children have smoked...now only two smoke,. I know it has to be difficult to quit, as is alcohol. I think many people start smoking with peer pressure in their teens. I personally cannot be in a smoke filled room. I do not think people who have these habits should be taxed more. They are struggling with a habit, and should not be punished anymore. I believe all businesses should be smoke free. I understand establishments of alcohol go hand in hand with smokers. I read smoking raises blood sugar levels, I believe the same as with alcohol. Smoking I believe hurts the person that smokes more than surrounding people when in the open air. In a closed room, I feel smoking is very bad for those that are in close proximity. Alcohol is more deadly for the road and the bodies and minds, and behaviors of people. I ask you what redeeming purpose does a cigarette have?

drive at 16

But kids may be more rebellious at 17 and 18.

Well, kids are also stupid..
I'll openly admit that..
We don't believe in physics..

Obviously school kids like you aren't intelligent enough to drive. Can't spell, that's for sure.
There is no real reason a 16 year old needs to drive. Also, teen drivers are the most dangerous and cause the most fatalities.

I think if you're old enough to be able to pay taxes, you should be old enough to be able to drive. Since in most states you can legally work at 16, thus pay taxes, I think it makes sense to be able to drive at 16. Its not fair to pay taxes but not be allowed to drive on the public roads paid with tax dollars.

Drinkers ARE taxed. Heavilly. Except that the taxes are invisible because the sales tax is allready included in the tab. Do you think that the bar keeps ALL of the $5 dollars that it gets from each drink?

I think if you're old enough to pay taxes, you should be old enough to drive. As for their immaturity, it should be up to the parents, not to government, to decide if they get to be on the road by themselves or not. I think it makes more sense for the kids to learn from their own mistakes.

I do believe parents should have the control over their children...however, there are those parents that don't parent. Yes, a child should learn by their mistakes, a mistake is a lesson learned if the person learns by the mistake....but we're talking about a major piece of machinery, the vehicle. A teen may not walk away from an accident, or perhaps an innocent party may not walk away.

True, but you must weight public safty verses individual rights. I am all for safer roads (or safty in general), but how much should we be willing to sacrifice for it. From the economics standpoint, its like the guns verses butter argument. You don't want to sarifice too much of one think because you've gone overboard with something else. How many apples are worth one organge?

As for 'innocent' drivers, theres an implict contract when one goes get their licencense that the road is a dangerous place, and there are idiots out there. There's an implicit risk to everything, in which case you take REASONABLE precautions. For instance, one in a million kids will shoot up their school like in Columbine. Does that mean we stop sending kids to school? People die all the time because of the heart attacks. That doesn't mean you ban foods that are bad for people? The government takes reasonable precautions to protect public safty, but only to a point. I mean there are bad parents out there, and irresponsible 16 and 17 year olds. As are there irresponsible 35 year olds. But that doesn't mean we go so much out of the way to raise the driving age to 18 for everyone. Thats way we let the states decide for themselves up to a point what they consider an acceptable risk. I think letting people drive at 16 is fairly reasonable.

Also you're forgetting if you make them wait until they're 18, you would only be delaying their immaturity. Instead of immature 16 year olds, you would be dealing with immature 18 year olds. The whole reason WHY young drivers are dangerous is for lack of experience, something thats unavoidable. They're going to have to learn to drive and deal with the real world sooner or later.

You've made some very good points Yankee! I agree with what you're saying, I understand what you're saying...perhaps it's just delaying the maturity of teens, but my daughter and son has lost friends due to teen driving. But I believe we all have to be responsible for our own actions. I guess the answer is lots of training, good parenting. When I was young, many of us used public transportation, we walked or rode bicycles to where we wanted to go...of course, we didn't travel as far as the young do today.

Don't ask me why but this reminds me of the seat belt laws, the helmet laws...they'll make laws, knowing people will break them, they'll nickle and dime us to death just for the city to collect revenue. A year ago I got a ticket for not wearing a seat belt...the office used binoculars to get me...that was ridiculous. I wasn't speeding, had just left my house, got on the freeway. I personally don't like seatbelts...but I suppose they can save lives at times, but it's just another law to soak you to control you. People have to be responsible for themselves, parents for their teens.

Of course I don't, but I still think that drinkers should be taxed more.

The taxes are pretty heavy (I am not sure the exact percentage). Not the mention liquor is VERY heavilly regulated. It doesn't take much to lose one's liquor license. I would imagine the expenses get passed on to the consumers somehow.

I need to look into this more, the rules in Britain...
I'll get back to you

physics?

the science..

stupid 4 wheelers

I would say 18 even though I drove when I was 16.

It really doesn't matter what the driving age is as long as the drinking age is lower and here is why. In Germany for example the drinking age is 16 but driving is 21 (exact reverse of the US) Read up on the statistics of how many accidents they have as opposed to how many we have here. Per capita of course because it's a smaller country, but still even with highways like the Autobahn where there really isn't a speed limit per se.........

I remember going to the DMV on my 16th birthday to get my driver's license--passed the test, time to drive!

Financial responsibility associated with the driving privilege.

Well that's somthing that you can see

I think the cost of a license for young drivers, under the age of 21, should be just this high!! (I am shocked to see what it costs in Germany!! I didn't realize that!!) Not only the cost to obtain the license, but the cost of insurance, also. It should be so high, parents think more than twice before they allow their children to drive. Young 'kids' are not ready for such a responsibility. We just lost our granddaughter, age 16, because she made the fatal mistake of getting in a vehicle driven by a 16 year old. This happened on Valentine's Day, this year. With higher costs to drive, and our lower speed limits here, there would be thousands of young people still here, not buried 70 years before their time!!! Speed regulators on cars that would not allow the driver to exceed 55MPH, cameras on board so parents can view their child's driving habits, all teens off the roads by 9PM weekdays and 11PM weekends!! So many things could be done to save the lives of our young people!!! They are killing each other and themselves, not to mention other drivers that happen to be anywhere near them!!

fudge niggers