Thread: Feds May Raise Driving Age for Teens

Originally Posted by Jolie Rouge

That is where "parenting" comes in ... instead of the Goverment making LAWS to control all the people because of 1% - 2% that do not behave responsibly.

I disagree maturity comes with age/experience, not parenting.

At 14 odds are it's more likely that 1-2% of the population are mature enough and 99% aren't.

I don't know how much it's changed since I grew up but here it was a permit at 16, a jr license ( could drive to work and home only) at 17 and a full license at 18 -- I grew up and still live in a suburb, to get to anything you have to drive -- just because it's inconvenient doesn't mean that public safety should be cast aside.

yes, 14 I believe is way to young to drive, but here at 15 with a drivers permit, they can only drive with an adult licensed driver, then they get there drivers license at 16, and then there are still restricted to have only 1 passenger, if more than 1 then there has to be an adult licensed driver in the vehicle also, plus there is curfew for driving so they can't be out after midnight or before I think 5 in the morning(unless proof of driving to and from work etc.). By the age of 17 these restrictions are lifted, then they can drive like normal.

I just think that not letting them drive untill 18 is a little much, I didn't turn 18 untill 2 months after I graduated.

These are similar to the rules here ... 15 - permit w/adult at all times
16 - extended permit - no passengers, curfew 11:30pm -5:30am
17 - extended permit - 1 passenger, curfew 12:30am - 5:00am
18 - fully licensed driver.

See how much driving experience they can aquire [u]with supervision[u] rather then just realeasing them onto the highways.. Alot of 18 yrolds need to mature as well ...

Originally Posted by Jolie Rouge

Alot of 18 yrolds need to mature as well ...

absolutely true -- but a lot more 14/15 year olds need to mature before getting behind the wheel...gosh my son is 15 a great kid, and I'm in no way an over protective parent (normally) but I'd like to put him off driving as long as possible.

Originally Posted by jasmine

Even if the law did permit them to be able to get there license at 14, it can still be the parents decision on wether to allow them to or not, you can simply tell the child no, that they have to wait untill they get a little older and more mature... You as a parent, know when your child is perhaps mature enough to handle driving.

but honestly how many would?

But this law takes the decision out of the hands of the parents ... and into the hands of the goverment.

I have a fourteen year old. He could ( if it applied here ) get a permit at 14 - it is my call to say NO. If his grades are good and he proves he is responsible thru the summer he *might* be allowed his permit when he turns 15. This means that he only drives with a responsible adult in the car - my choice of adult - mom, dad, aunt becky. Disobedience results in loss of car keys. He will be riding the bus to school until at least his Junior year ... my decision - the parent. NOT "Big Daddy" Goverment.

Originally Posted by Jolie Rouge

But this law takes the decision out of the hands of the parents ... and into the hands of the goverment.

I have a fourteen year old. He could ( if it applied here ) get a permit at 14 - it is my call to say NO. If his grades are good and he proves he is responsible thru the summer he *might* be allowed his permit when he turns 15. This means that he only drives with a responsible adult in the car - my choice of adult - mom, dad, aunt becky. Disobedience results in loss of car keys. He will be riding the bus to school until at least his Junior year ... my decision - the parent. NOT "Big Daddy" Goverment.

It is up to the gov't to make laws in the best interest of public safety.

You have rules like that in your home, but there is no guarantee that the majority would take your stand. (and imho most people don't)

Originally Posted by Breezin

absolutely true -- but a lot more 14/15 year olds need to mature before getting behind the wheel...gosh my son is 15 a great kid, and I'm in no way an over protective parent (normally) but I'd like to put him off driving as long as possible.

Here I believe it is 15 1/2 for a permit and 16 for a license. I am currently teaching my 14 y/o how to drive. Flame me if you want but she is very responsible and when she goes to get her license she will be confident/practiced enough to be safe(r).

I started driving when I was 11 yrs old. I grew up in rural NW TN and for the most part I only drove on the back roads.

As for maturity not being based on parenting...in a big part it is. A child's maturity is mostly based on the responsibilities a parent gives their child. A child that has little or no responsibilities will most likely not mature at the same rate as a child that has more responsibilities in their life. Especially those children that are not made to take responsibilities for their actions. I taught my children at an early age that for every action there was a consequence, whether good or bad.