In New South Wales, the age for a person to get their L-plates is 16. In several other places, this age is slightly higher. For example, in the United Kingdom, the age for beginning earning a licence is 17. But does age have anything to do with a person’s level of responsibility whilst on the road?
A 17 year old driver with a P1 licence is 4 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a driver over 26 years. Some people think this is far too young to drive. 36% of annual road fatalities are represented by young drivers, whilst only making up 15% of the driving population. P and L platers are also notorious for reckless behaviour and attitudes towards driving, especially males.
On the other hand, when finishing school, teenagers need to get to university, which is more irregular than school. This means that it is harder for parents to pick up/drop off and far easier for teenagers to drive themselves there and back; also many teenagers choose at this point to live away from home. The government sees no issue in the current driving age, and makes no plans at present to change it. The government also gives 17 year olds many rights that are not available to children, so why can’t they drive?
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www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/statistics/index.html?rsid=crashstats www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/gettingalicence/index.htmlIt is proposed that the RTA should lift the age at which you can get your L plates to 17 and reduce the hours required to gain a P plate to 80.