Motorists slam ‘dangerous’ plan to let 15-year-olds drive

Frustrated Britons have blasted suggestions to lower the driving age to 15 with some suggesting teenagers cannot not be trusted on the roads.

One motorist has even joked that “five-year-olds” should be allowed on the roads while others claimed they would not feel safe.

It comes after more than 87,000 people have signed a petition demanding the legal driving age be lowered to 15 or 16 for equality purposes.

Under current rules, UK road users must be at least 17 to start lessons and take their DVSA driving tests.

But, Express readers have called out the stunning proposals to lower the legislation despite the petition receiving widespread support.

READ MORE New parking rules will be ‘monumental’ change with every region set to benefit

@stargazer66 wrote: “Most 15-year-olds couldn’t be trusted with a supermarket trolley let alone something with an engine.”

@rusty53a remarked: “Some of the 17-year-olds unleashed in a car drive at dangerous speeds so imagine what would happen if you let 15-year-olds loose – this is definitely not a good idea!”

Another user posted: “Who would say, hand on heart, that they’d feel safe as a passenger in a car with a 15 or 16-year-old driving? It’s extremely dangerous and unnatural.”

@ussarian said: “Why not five-year-olds? That’s the legal school starting age, adult enough to attend full-time school, adult enough to drive!!!”

The Parliament petition suggests that teenagers would be “trusted” to drive and claims the current rules were “unfair”.

DON’T MISS
Pressing car buttons is making motorists ‘worse drivers’ with road users at risk[LATEST]
Rishi Sunak’s new driving law changes could be ‘catastrophic’ with many at risk[ANALYSIS]
Hundreds of Britons are breaking 10 little-known road laws with drivers at risk[COMMENT]

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

The petition was founded by Matteo Joseph Shirley and will run until December 27 this year.

Matteo argues: “I would like the Government to change the legal driving age to 15 because I believe that 15 and 16-year-olds can be trusted to drive a car and should be able to get a driving licence. I believe the current situation is unfair, and inconsistent with the Equality Act 2010.” (sic)

The poll is already set to receive a Government response after reaching 10,000 signatures.

However, the topic is closing in for debate in Parliament with organisers just shy of the 100,000 goal.

Some Express readers revealed the driving age did need reforming but instead demanded it was immediately increased.

@jodarbs commented: “Put it up there’s enough bad drivers on the road now.”

@bazzinga stressed: “It should be raised to 21 and drivers made to take an intelligence test first.”

@JohnFiird added: “On the contrary – the minimum age should be raised to 23.”

Source: Read Full Article