Driving Question--older than 17 please!!?

HRH Princess Deb

The site below is from the California DMV. It gives the following statistics:

Teen Crashes By State
Involvements per 1,000 Drivers
Citations per 100 Drivers
Accicents Involving Drinking Drivers per 10,000 Licensees
Percent of Fatal/Injury Crashes.16- to 19-year-old drivers
Percent of Total Violations.16- to 19-year olds
Subsequent Crashes per Driver-prior crashes
Subsequent Crashes per Driver-neg-op points

Anakin

make them pay for their car insurance

Rikki Marie

I don't think you should be convincing at all... I got my license when I was 16, and I turned out just fine. You have to let them grow up, and you can't prevent that, no matter how hard you try, you just have to let go.

The responsibility can be a GOOD thing... and I think it's really important for a 16 year old to be able to experience that.

get them a beater car
no need to get them an 8,000 dollar car like a lot of teens do
and if they crash it and its their fault, tell them you wont get them another car
make them pay for gas/insurance

Why wait, If a person is a responsible driver they should be able to get their license. I think that people who wait to get their licenses are worse drivers than people who get them at 16; They don't have as much experience driving, and are not as confident. So as I previously stated, don't try to convince your friend not to get it; Plus this is your friend, you don't know what they are and aren't ready for. That is their decision to make, and I think its horrible that your trying to make it for them.

Suspiria Doll

Did they go to drivers ed? Because they won't be able to get their license if they haven't gone to driver's ed.

At least that's the law here.

Jason S

There's no reason for them to wait. The sooner they get their license, the sooner their insurance rates go down and the faster they gain experience.
What you should do is set rules about them driving. Here in Ontario the rules are that for the first 8 months a person can only drive with another licensed person in the passenger seat. The passenger must have at least 3 years experience. Also, the new driver cannot drive after midnight, and isn't allowed on the large highways.
After the 8 months, for the next 8 months there are no restrictions except: no overcrowding the car, and 0.0% alcohol.
If you slowly increase privileges to reward good driving, you can help teach good habits and keep them safe.

Driving Instructor (BRAKE!)

The only reason to wait is if the teen hasn't developed a sense of responsibility and maturity, as you correctly stated. Research in the last couple of years has pinpointed the "frontal cortex" portion of the brain - responsible for sensing danger and judgement is not fully developed until you're at least 20 years old.
This is a very shortened explanation of why teens make stupid mistakes!
While they're not aware of the dangers, through Driver's Education courses, they can learn about some of requirements necessary to be a safe driver. I encourage parents to start the education process IF their son or daughter is mature. If they start - and then are overwhelmed by the amount of material - it may be a sign to hold off for 6 mos. Many new drivers are failing the permit tests at the DMV because they're not sincere about their interest in driving. It may be peer pressure, in which case it's better to wait.

Curly

just run them over
and then say I didn't wait a year

J.J.

I think you shouldnt be able to drink or drive (since the car can be a weapon) until your old enough to vote!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: