Should the legal age for driving in UK should be raised to 21?

Question

I think it should be, 17 is far too young, too young to watch a scary film, too young to drink alcohol, buy cigarettes, some 17 year olds are still at school, I dont think they are responsible enough, you hear about so many young ones in accidents, as they are driving too fast and showing off etc and thats because they are immature, thats just my opinion though - what do you think?

Answer 1

YES THE POMS ARE TERRIBLE DRIVERS THEY SHOULD STICK TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT!

Answer 2

makes sense

Answer 3

I'm 20 years old and have been driving for 3 years. You can't group us all! I took 6 months to pass my test and had intensive lessons, 2 hours a week for that complete time and that has made me a better driver!

I don't think the age should be raised but I knew of a lot of people who took their test the week of their 17th Birthday, they had private property that they learnt to drive in. These are the troubled ones! I think there should be a years compulsory lessons before you can take your test! This will make people better drivers!

Answer 4

Yes it should be 21 would save a lot of lives, mostly young peoples!

Answer 5

Believe me, raising the drinking age causes it's fare share of problems in the US. It leads to a lot of illegal underage drinking, binge drinking to the extreme in colleges, and an overall unhealthy attitude towards alcohol.

I think people at 17 can be mature, and there are a lot of 21 year olds that are immature. A lot of drunk drivers are over 30, let alone over 17. A healthier attitude toward alcohol-meaning introducing it as something not to be abused or taken lightly- will help young people be able to handle drinking without endangering themselves.

Answer 6

No 17 is fine but just try teaching youngster responsibilty instead

Answer 7

but you dont live in a remote part of the uk for some of the younger people who LIVE in these parts ITS BLOODY HARD TO GERT arounfdd without a car at 17 if you can drive you cant then you dont get groseries bnecause the only bus you have in that area hasnt turned up its like the pay per mile sxccheme its going to kill rural drivers its fine and well if you live in the centre of london but iof you luive in scoptland some parts are VERY hard to get to without a car so no i dont think it should just because a minority spoil it for us who can drive a motor veichal i live in the us now and i see what these polatitions think its a s***w you rural countrys situation!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

no, just because of a few idiots you can't punish everyone

I started driving at 17, I had 3 accident and believe it or not they were all caused by elderly drivers

2 of which went into the back of me whilst I was stationary and the other hit me on a roundabout!

I'm only 21 now but I've got no points and nearly 5 years no claims

Answer 9

No it would have an adverse effect on our economy,

plus if you started driving at 21 you'd still be as inexperienced as at 17 so nothing gained

Answer 10

No, it may save lives as kids can't hold their liquor and are deadly on a motorcycle or car! The reason that many states here really upped the drinking age had nothing to do with safety, it had to do with the federal government going to withhold highway funds, which is their favorite way to do things. That is why speed limits were lowered to 55, but now, in most states are up again! I think your drinking age should be 21!

I would hate to see 17 year-old kids in a bar. There would be a brawl every night, which got a lot of places closed for even the 21 clubs because the city got tired of them and had them closed. Usually on a liquor violation(s)! Then they drive!

I know some European countries start children drinking with meals at a young age, and most can drink responsibly as that is what they were taught. That is not taught here!

Here the young kids are more in to illicit drugs than alcohol!

You know what is best for your country probably, but I hate to see teens hitting trees or people with a car that weighs a couple of tons. Most kids I have seen can't drive well when they are sober! The exception in some rural states where kids start driving tractors on a farm at 10 or 11, they know how to drive as the machinery they operate is dangerous! They may be OK for the road, until they hit black ice or hydroplane and they have a tendency to hit the brakes, which often gets them killed! But any kid with any alcohol in their system their license should be stripped.

In my state 1 speeding ticket you lose your license. Kids 16 have to have an adult over 21 in the vehicle. Some states don't let them drive at night! So it depends. There is really no right or wrong answer except on a general basis.

Also in most European countries they have an excellent transportation system. For the most part that is lacking in the US and dictates some policies!

Most here would probably disagree with 21 as you are an adult at 18 by law and in many rural states that is how kids get to school! And sometimes I don't believe it is necessarily the age, except with young show offs. It is more an experience thing, or lack thereof. People who lack experience driving in bad weather conditions are a danger, no matter what age!

Answer 11

Yea, so I can put off having to learn to drive, lol.

I agree with younger people driving too fast and showing off. The exact day my brother got his car after passing his test, he crashed it and it was a write off. Thankfully nobody was hurt, but he almost went off a bridge 'cause he went round a corner too fast.

I don't think it should be raised though 'cause a lot of people need driving for their job, especially in apprenticeships so they wouldn't be able to start apprenticeships til later.

Also, if getting a job and passing your test come hand in hand, it should hopefully mature the person enough for them not to fool about with it.

Answer 12

21 for sure because you guys have just as many problems that we have here in the U.S.................

Answer 13

Yes I thing it should be legal to drive a car at the age of 21

Answer 14

yeah it should be 21.

Answer 15

It has nothing to do with age. It has to do with knowing the rules of the road in uk.

I seen plenty of 30- 70 years old in us are nor responsible behind the wheel age has no effect.

Answer 16

at least 18.

Answer 17

If you all think that the age of learning to drive should be raised, then you MUST do something more about it than just discuss it. Here in the UK we have a process for changing the law, and it starts with lobbying your MP.

While I mostly agree with the suggestion to raise the age limit, nothing is going to happen if you don't let your MP know your views and ask him/her to represent them in parliament.

Answer 18

i think it should be raised to 18. i know its only a year but like you say you have to 18 to do most other things that adults do so driving a large chunk of metal should be 18 too.

Answer 19

It should be 17 but with a few conditions after they pass their test they should only be allowed to drive a car of a particular class IE a 1 Litre then after 12 months take another test in the next class let's say a 1.3 Litre until they know they can drive competently and safely in that class, and not be allowed to drive a more powerful car until they have taken a test for that particular class, Just like the old LGV & PSV classes. I have been driving for 33 years large and small vehicles, and i am still learning.

Answer 20

yes it should but then the laws should be changed to 21 right across the board - including going to war

Answer 21

I think it's a very good idea but I suspect it will not go down very well with the people in this country.  I don't see why anyone must have a driving license at such a young age.  I wouldn't object even if the legal age of driving is raised to 25 and that anyone taking the driving test must also take a personality assessment.  That would be good for road safety and the environment.

Answer 22

No. And not simply because I'm 17 myself AND learning to drive I just think why should the responsible 17 year olds have to suffer for the other dipsticks who think they can roam around this country causing trouble.

Answer 23

Yes. Although there are a lot of people who are older than 17 who can't drive.

The worst in my experience are women in thier twenties who drive in the middle lane on motorways and won't move over.

I think the police should be able to make these numpties re-take the driving test and suspend their license until then.

Answer 24

No I don't think it should be raised to 21but there are other measures that could be taken.

1) limit the number of passengers a driver under 21 can carry within their first two years of passing the test

2) limit the engine size and power of the car they drive until 21. this is done with motorbike so why not cars?

3) enforce a curfew which takes them off the road at 10pm at night. the technology is available to do this and you could include a fee when the obtain their full licence.

4) at present new drivers are allowed to tot up six points before they get a ban drop this down to three and then make them resit a test

Answer 25

no its about experience not age!