Too Much, Too Soon – What’s The Minimum Age for Responsibility?

[Nick The Great]

I was in the inaugural class of Intermediate Licenses in Iowa; this was in 1999. At 14 you could get a school permit, and at 16 get the Intermediate License, which restricted the hours. 17 was a full license if you hadn't had a moving violation.

Trying to make a blanket gov't rule for these things is stupid. I started driving things with motors at age 5 (tractor, lawn mower, etc). My first unaccompanied drive in a pickup was age 9. My dad taught us to be responsible and sensible when we did things.

I can think of many people my age (27) that aren't capable enough to be on the road. Just look at the number of cars in the ditch each time it snows. Or asshats texting whilst driving.

 

[agjake11]

i also think with all the conviences in modern vehicles that focus isnt on driving now days its about what else is going on stereo etc. there was a requirement for me also of 6 months of clear driving before i could upgrade my stereo. for me with a manual shift i had to focus on driving otherwise i wasnt going anywhere and thats a skill thats few and far between now days. i taught most all my friend how to drive a manual.

My first truck (when I was 16 1/2) was a '94 S10 2.2L 5spd RCSB, didn't even have A/C, power windows, or locks; only had AM/FM-cassette player (oh yeah, it was thumpin!
New cars have way too many "conveniences". 90% of my high school class didn't know how to drive a manual, let alone what it was. To me, it was an easy way for people not to borrow my truck!

yup ive only had manual v6 trucks with no power options

 

[Zembonez]

I know it was different then...but...
When I was growing up...you could get a "FULL" license...not restricted in any way...at 14.
Which I did...

Yeah... And we see how you turned out!

No shit! I've seen him drive. Roger was brave enough to be a test co-pilot.

 

[DV2000NJ]

In NJ you have to score above a 40 out of 50 on a written exam, and then you can get your permit when you're 16, after taking 6 hours of driving instruction from a professional. You have to drive with a licensed driver over the age of 21 until you're 17, when you can take you drivers test. If you pass, you get a provisional license, which you keep until you're 18 or a year after you get your license.

The key, is to actually DRIVE when you have your permit, so that your parents can critique you, and improve your driving. That's the only reason I've never gotten in an accident, is because I drove probably 10-15k miles before I ever drove alone. Plus, for the first 3 years I was driving alone, I averaged 12k a year, which is a quick way to get used to driving.

 

[nubuilder]

In NJ you have to score above a 40 out of 50 on a written exam, and then you can get your permit when you're 16, after taking 6 hours of driving instruction from a professional. You have to drive with a licensed driver over the age of 21 until you're 17, when you can take you drivers test. If you pass, you get a provisional license, which you keep until you're 18 or a year after you get your license.

The key, is to actually DRIVE when you have your permit, so that your parents can critique you, and improve your driving. That's the only reason I've never gotten in an accident, is because I drove probably 10-15k miles before I ever drove alone. Plus, for the first 3 years I was driving alone, I averaged 12k a year, which is a quick way to get used to driving.

Yep, we have the same thing. 6 hours with a driving instructor and like 30 hours with parrents (at least 5, or maybe more, at night). I drove so much in 6 months that I had tripple that. Heck, I even drove to Madison, WI to move my brother in and out of the dorms. That was a fun one!

And the experience behind the wheel is why the should never bump up the age. Let everyone learn young, that way the roads will be slightly safer. If the bump the age up, the "high-risk ages" will just move to be whatever age they change it to.

Since I've been driving, I put on 8k the first year, and 10k, or more, every year after that.

 

[NCSU_05_FX4]

... the only reason I've never gotten in an accident, is because I drove probably 10-15k miles before I ever drove alone. Plus, for the first 3 years I was driving alone, I averaged 12k a year, which is a quick way to get used to driving.

X2. My parents even put me behind the wheel when we took a summer vacation from MI to NC so I could get some time out on the highways too. If we had to go anywhere that year I had my permit, 95% of the time I was the one driving.

 

[NMRam]

I think age is a factor, but time behind the wheel is even more of a factor. I look back at some of the stupid things I have done, and it is a wonder I am still alive and not in jail, or haven't killed someone else along the way. Most of my "mistakes" were not the fault of the vehicle I was driving, it was either lack of skills or lack of judgment on my part that caused the issues. BUT, I always knew that there were consequences for my actions, and I based the risks I took on those consequences (not always wisely). I think many of the current generation of young people have never been exposed to consequences, everything that happens is always someone else's fault. There is no such thing as personal responsibility in our society any more, and I think THAT is where the problems lie.

 

[Zembonez]

Experience behind the wheel is the only way to become a good driver. Here in Texas, you take an easy test, go sit through the driver's ed class in school... and bingo. You basically have a license at 16.

FLY AND BE FREE.

Thankfully some parents are actually parents and educate their kids behind the wheel. Others turn their kids loose without limits. Still others buy their kid a hot car and turn them loose.

Some get to go to their kids funeral soon after because their kids grew up on Need for Speed and Grand Theft Auto and really believe that cars work like a video game. No matter how much education you give, there will always be the one dumbass kid that is going to crash and burn - no matter what you let him drive.

I personally believe that making a kid work through the Summer and pay for a portion of their first car with their hard earned money makes them far less likely to destroy their first car.

 

[NMRam]

Experience behind the wheel is the only way to become a good driver. Here in Texas, you take an easy test, go sit through the driver's ed class in school... and bingo. You basically have a license at 16.

FLY AND BE FREE.

Thankfully some parents are actually parents and educate their kids behind the wheel. Others turn their kids loose without limits. Still others buy their kid a hot car and turn them loose.

Some get to go to their kids funeral soon after because their kids grew up on Need for Speed and Grand Theft Auto and really believe that cars work like a video game. No matter how much education you give, there will always be the one dumbass kid that is going to crash and burn - no matter what you let him drive.

I personally believe that making a kid work through the Summer and pay for a portion of their first car with their hard earned money makes them far less likely to destroy their first car.

I totally agree with this. Some people will wreck anything they drive......natural selection at work.

I also agree with the kid paying for their own vehicle, or at least a part of it. My parents never had the ability to give me a vehicle, I had to get a job and buy my own if I wanted to drive. I still did stupid stuff, but not nearly to the extent that some of my friends did whose parents paid for their vehicles. I knew that whatever I tore up, I got to pay to fix, or I didn't have anything to drive. Again, back to personal responsibility.

 

[Zembonez]

I also agree with the kid paying for their own vehicle, or at least a part of it. My parents never had the ability to give me a vehicle, I had to get a job and buy my own if I wanted to drive. I still did stupid stuff, but not nearly to the extent that some of my friends did whose parents paid for their vehicles. I knew that whatever I tore up, I got to pay to fix, or I didn't have anything to drive. Again, back to personal responsibility.

You nailed it.

Personal responsibility is the key to life. Sadly it's one most people are trying to avoid these days.