Lets face it, in the last few weeks we have heard so much about our young teens in this world dying because of inexperienced drivers. So how old should one be before he or she can get one, and what should be changed in the driving tests and the way they teach people to drive. So please give your thoughts on all of these and if you have more idea's post away.

I am not sure about an age but I do think the P plate should be used. Is it Australia they have them? So other motorists could see that the driver of the car bearing these is inexperienced. I also think the driving test should be much tougher with experience required in certain conditions and proof given thereof. I think it is Finland where they do all sorts of weather conditions but then let's face it they probs have lots of weather and sadly that is fairly unpredicatable in this country. How about having a few classes with the services who deal with RTA's so that they can see the havoc that can be caused by their bravado? I did a course (no laughing), motor maintenance for women, where there was a night when a police officer came to demonstrate various things one of which was stopping distance and he also brought out a body bag . . .

I've wondered if some sort of restrictor/speed limiter could be fitted new drivers cars that can only be removed after 18 months of experience,also, that way, depending on when they start driving alone, they are bound to have had an experience of winter driving.

Yes that is a problem here, you only have to have your 'beginners' permit for 6 months before you can take the road test. so if you get you beginners in March or April, there's a good chance you will never have driven on a winter road. When I got my beginners it was only 60 days you had to wait before the road test Luckily, my 16th birthday was in February, and we had a long winter that year, so I learned on snowy roads LOL.

Another measure they introduced for Newly Licensed drivers is called Graduated Licensing. There are several restrictions at each level, so it takes 2 1/2 years to become a fully licensed driver.

~Beginner: 6 months, only permit holder and 1 fully licensed driver in car. Daylight hours only.
~New Driver: 1 Year, up to 4 passengers (even in a 7 passenger vehicle) , one must hold a full license, Daylight hours only. Exception to this is if you have a job and your shift ends before midnight. (so you could drive home at 11 pm) The necessity of a full driver in the car keeps carloads of teens from drag racing.
~Level 1: 1 year, up to 4 passengers, midnight curfew.
~Full License

I'm not sure what needs to be done but I do know things have to change. These kids get a licence, and thanks to the system we operate nowadays, can also get finance to buy a high performance car. This creates a recipe for disaster. Too many kids are being killed on our roads. There have to be some restrictions on them whether it be a 'New Driver' plate or some other method. I think limiting the cars they can drive would be a non-starter as they would find a way around this.

The biggest problem is one that has never changed throughout the generatiions and that is that youngsters think they're invincible....................unfortunately today's youngsters are in more danger than previous generations because of the driving culture and the availability of credit to finance their hobby.

Another problem with youngsters is that most of them don't get the message when one of their friends is killed in a high speed incident. I live in a small community and one or two youngsters have been killed over the past ten years or so but it doesn't seem to change anything. I don't know what the answer to this problem is. I wish I did.

i agree with all of you in one way or another
the restrictor is a good idea but i bought my lads cars b4 they were 17 and both passed at 17
i worked for the fire service and had access to some relly bad pictures that i shown mine
and niether have had any accidents ryan driving nearly 7yrs and dale 4yrs

i also took them to sheffields main police charge office on a sriday night using my contacts so they could see what the cells and drunks and all the rest were like and touch wood theyve never broken the law
i think if certain access was given or shown the outcomes of speeding fighting etc
was it may curb the majority of their fool hardyness

I agree with what everyone says, however would'nt the easiest solution be to stop making fast cars? after all we do have speed restrictions on our roads, so why oh why do car manufacturers insist on making these fast cars. NO FAST CARS, NO BOY RACERS.

bit the national speed limit on country rds is 60mph
and most dual carraigways is 50
be better to drop the limits

I would agree with P plates and graduated levels for young drivers.

I am also not a fan of quick pass schemes. I know a young guy who within one week passed his test using this scheme. He had never driven in the rain dark or snowy conditions. No experience of driving in these conditions whatsoever but has a full driving licence. A recipe for disaster not for all but the odd few.