Motorists priced off the road

**Casper** · 02-23-2007, 10:34 AM

So it looks like the government wants to introduce more road usage taxes as an excuse to combat congestion and pollution, which has caused outrage.

How about increasing the driving age to 21? At the moment it's 17 but many accidents are caused by the age group of 17 - 21 years, so it would cut many road traffic accidents.

This would also cut congestion and pollution, as there would be a reduction in numbers of drivers. I don't think it's fair that we try to price all motorists off the road, but increasing the driving age to 21 would make a lot of sense.

bugsy · 02-23-2007, 03:28 PM

which they desperately lack

**Will** · 02-26-2007, 11:44 AM

Not a bad idea, most of us are sick of the constant punishment of drivers, for the government's failure to:
a) Force car companies to roll out pollution free cars.
b) Provide a decent public transport service.
c) Build an economy that requires a colossal amount of public money to keep it propped up.

Bruv · 02-26-2007, 06:30 PM

A few points PasteMaster...

The reason they have more accidents is that they are new drivers, who happen to be young.I would like to know if they are a lot different from any NEW driver....possibly yes...maybe not.

I personally would MOT all drivers every couple of years.....keep em on their toes. That would thin out the amount of drivers.

**Casper** · 02-27-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruv

A few points PasteMaster...

The reason they have more accidents is that they are new drivers, who happen to be young.I would like to know if they are a lot different from any NEW driver....possibly yes...maybe not.

I personally would MOT all drivers every couple of years.....keep em on their toes. That would thin out the amount of drivers.

That's a good point Bruv, but teenage drivers suffer more road traffic accidents because they also drive more erratically.

Also, the whole point of driving tests are to establish whether new drivers have the ability to drive well once they acquire their full driving license. It's clear then that some of the young drivers who do pass their test unfortunately drive recklessly on purpose as soon as they are free to do so.

Thus, I'd conclude that 80% of accidents due to young drivers result from reckless driving whilst 20% are due to inexperience.

bugsy · 03-01-2007, 06:51 AM

what about people coming here from other countries, supposedly with driving licences, which they can simply swop for a brand new uk one.
Do they ever check the validity of these licences? Are the drivers tested on this side, even if its a 20min ride down the road. NO!

Experienced testers will very quickly detect if the person is capable of driving, especially if their licence says they have ben driving for a long period.
With the influx of foreign drivers into this country.....I would expect 50% to have counterfeit driver licences.

**Casper** · 03-02-2007, 06:57 PM

I actually heard recently that there have already been proposals to increase the minimum driving age requirement.