New Proposed Canadian Driving Laws (Ontario)

[Mr. lax]

This is ridiculous, almost every person at my high-school car pools to get to work. (Like 3 or more teens per vehicle) That would be crazy and the busing systems would have serious problems. I think that this is nuts.

 

[Iscariot]

Agree with the first two, but the third one seems over the top.

 

[CalBoy]

They need to just raise the eligibility age limit to 18 years. By then I would expect people to be less stupid.

*await the flames*

Totally agree.

Teenagers are not the most responsible individuals, and handing them a 3,000lb killing machine doesn't seem like a good idea, especially when they have phones going off and music that can be heard across 3 lanes of traffic (ok, so I'm exaggerating, but the point is largely valid).

Plus raising the driving age to 18 would get rid of a lot of the machoism and chauvinism that is prevalent in high schools.

On top of all that, if the kids have to take public transit, it will force cities to invest more in that and get them used to the idea that cars are not practical for everything.

you still have the lack of driving experience problem. Like I pointed out about that takes about 5 years.

You can allow them to have an extended permit period (say 2 years).

Plus, teenager fatalities aren't all caused by a lack of experience. In many cases, it's teenage distractions (buds in the car, girls in another car, etc) and general teenage arrogance that cause a lot of accidents.

Agree with the first two, but the third one seems over the top.

To me, they all seem like bandages being thrown on a tumor.

The problem is that teenagers feel entitled to be able to drive while not wanting to be responsible enough to have that privilege. I really don't blame teenagers, since they're just hardwired that way. Instead, we should end this ridiculous notion that everyone 16 and up is somehow entitled to drive (and even though we all say it's a privilege, none of us seem to view it that way in application).

 

[Vivid.Inferno]

Totally agree.

Teenagers are not the most responsible individuals, and handing them a 3,000lb killing machine doesn't seem like a good idea, especially when they have phones going off and music that can be heard across 3 lanes of traffic (ok, so I'm exaggerating, but the point is largely valid).

Plus raising the driving age to 18 would get rid of a lot of the machoism and chauvinism that is prevalent in high schools.

On top of all that, if the kids have to take public transit, it will force cities to invest more in that and get them used to the idea that cars are not practical for everything.


You can allow them to have an extended permit period (say 2 years).

Plus, teenager fatalities aren't all caused by a lack of experience. In many cases, it's teenage distractions (buds in the car, girls in another car, etc) and general teenage arrogance that cause a lot of accidents.


To me, they all seem like bandages being thrown on a tumor.

The problem is that teenagers feel entitled to be able to drive while not wanting to be responsible enough to have that privilege. I really don't blame teenagers, since they're just hardwired that way. Instead, we should end this ridiculous notion that everyone 16 and up is somehow entitled to drive (and even though we all say it's a privilege, none of us seem to view it that way in application).

That's stereotyping don't you think? I've always been a responsible driver, cell phone off, or with a bluetooth, and radio turned down. I can't argue with raising the age to 18, i don't see a problem with that. It's just most of your statements about teenagers are stereotypes.

I need a car. I drive 84km (52 miles) every day to get to my classes (that's round trip). There is no public transit for me to take, as I live in a small town.

 

[ChrisA]

Only part of the problem is that the drivers are young. The other part is that they are new drivers. This would apply to older people learning to drive. I've seen it in Florida. People in New York live their entire life up to age 65 then retire and move south and then at age 65 learn to drive. These people are as bad is 16 year olds and just like then have a hugely disproportionate share of accidents.

If it were up to me I'd apply those rules to the first two years anyone had a driver's license so it would apply to those between 65 and 67 as well is those 16-18

 

[mkrishnan]

If it were up to me I'd apply those rules to the first two years anyone had a driver's license so it would apply to those between 65 and 67 as well is those 16-18

Statistically, the accident rate doesn't really fall off until more like the mid 20's, AFAIK even for drivers who obtain drivers' licenses as young as possible (that is, rates of accidents and MVA mortality are boosted from about 16 to about 24). That would seem to contradict your theory to some extent.

Also, many states (now this is the US, not Canada) are enacting regulations intended to ensure that older motorists are safe -- increased frequency of mandatory testing, including on-road testing or simulator testing as part of mandatory testing, etc. AFAIK, there's no real evidence that older drivers (whether they spent their younger life driving or not) get safer after a couple of years of driving more frequently. I've never seen data to support that idea.

 

[CalBoy]

That's stereotyping don't you think?

No, I'd call it statistical significance.

Let me blunt: teenagers are bad drivers because of two reasons: 1) they're new drivers, and 2) they're teenagers.

As mkrishnan says, statistics keep proving that teenagers as a cohort are more dangerous drivers regardless of when they get their license.

It's just most of your statements about teenagers are stereotypes.

And sadly I'm not wrong. High school car ownership is largely a measure of machoism. Even if practicality and sheer expense stare a teenager in the face, they will insist on having a car. When they do finally secure their wheels, they of course want to go cruising with friends, and for the opposite sex.

Sure there are a few responsible ones out there, but that's like saying there are some grizzly bears that won't pounce; would you take the risk?

I need a car. I drive 84km (52 miles) every day to get to my classes (that's round trip). There is no public transit for me to take, as I live in a small town.

Why do you live so far from school? I don't mean to be a bit harsh, but perhaps it is the car that has taken you hostage, making you willing to exert yourself by driving long distances everyday. Without the car you would have surely moved closer to campus no?