Originally Posted by
Unreasonable
Hey now. I hate to read an awful story like this, but this isn't good reasoning. Good driving ability comes from experience, not age (to a reasonable degree). Once a person is of the age where they can reason under pressure, how long they have to wait to get the experience isn't a factor.
A 12 year old shouldn't get a license, of course, because they are not able to make the split second decisions that sometimes are required. But a 16 year old? Once they get the experience via driving school and such, they are just as ready for a license as an 18 year old would be in the same situation.
If we make people wait two extra years for the process to start, that just means 18 year olds will be getting into accidents instead of 16 year olds.
Here in St. Pete we have this nice little thing where if a student misses too many days of school or drops out of school their driver's license can be suspended or revoked. I'm not saying that it applies in this case. But I think that that is a damn good idea. And one that more cities/counties/states need to adopt.
Also at 16 how much experience does she have in making "split second" decisions?
One thing that I don't think would be a bad idea is that starting at 14 or 15 have kids start taking drivers ed in school
NO "road trips," start with the laws of the road, simulator time, etc. As well as starting in 1st Grade bringing back bicycle riding education. And continue it on up to graduation from High School. At around 12 - 13 or so have them (give or take) have them taking their bikes out on the road in a controlled and supervised environment.
Once they hit 15 or 16 and depending on their attendance. They are allowed to get their learner's permit and start taking lesson's out on the road. As well as having to complete obstacle courses. Courses that get harder each year.
They should also have to wait until they graduate before they are able to test to get their full license. Also they should not automatically get a discount just taking drivers ed in school. They should have to obtain a given score on their drivers license test both written and road test.
If at any time while they have their learner's permit they are involved in a crash, or receive a single traffic ticket ticket, be it speeding, parking, or what have, they have to start over again at the basics. If after graduating and obtaining their full driver's license they rack up x-number of traffic tickets and/or are involved in a crash their license is restricted and they have to take a remedial course.
Also for adults if they get any kind of traffic ticket instead of being able to go to "traffic school" to "avoid" getting any points on his or her license. They should be required to attend traffic school
AND still get the points.
It would also be nice if for those who have proven themselves to habitually break the law(s) i.e. DWI/DUI, speeding, crashes, road rage, etc. they should
NOT be able to apply for a restricted or work license or whatever they want to call it. if one has lost their license they should lose their license and
NOT get it back until they can show that they can operate a car within the law. They should also have to petition the court and show proof that they have completed driver's education. But if they have a DWI/DUI they should never be able to drive again.