DEBATE: Should 16-year-olds be allowed to drive?

This has been a recent topic on AM talk radio, and I have my opinons on it, but I want to see what everyone else thinks.

Should you be allowed a full drivers license when you turn 16 years old? Why not? Why? What should the law be?

Well... i'm 16... i'm responsible... I deserve to DRIVE!!!! haha, but really I don't know about all 16 year olds, but I don't know why not... I don't think that idiotic teenagers, no matter what age, that drive like there starring in 2fast 2furious should have a drivers licsence haha lol. Plus drivers like that, that crash and do stupid stuff, drive insurance up for me, just cuz i'm a guy!!! Oh well, I don't have me licsence yet, so I don't have to care yet. But still... it's annoying. But then maybe thats just the insurance companies looking for excuses to get more money.

Yes, 16 year olds should be allowed to drive.

I don't think they should... kids do some really stupid crap at that age and most aren't mature enough to drive around a 2,000 lb. deathmobile. I didn't get mine until I was 17, and I still wasnt' really experienced enough I don't think. I have an 18 year old sister in law that seems to think it's cool to drink and drive, and even brags about it. I just remember seeing a lot of really dumb kids in high school, and it's scary to think about driving around on the road with them.

Lol, yeah they should be able to... I know plenty of dumb people that are 25 and older.

There are bad drivers at age 60, or 45... There are also many people who could probably drive at 14 or 15. It's almost impossible to put an age limit on it, maybe there should be some alternate maturity test? Dunno, but you have to put the line somewhere, and I don't think putting it at 18 or 20 would help much...

Well of course everyone is different. But 16 is pretty young to be driving a car. 18 seems pretty reasonable to me.

You should also have your license taken away at age 70. Or at least be retested every 5 years or something to make sure you are still capable of operating a car.

I'm 16 and I wouldn't do anything stupid. I'm not that kinda guy. I think I will be a good driver.

There are things where you have to renew your license (or is that just here?), but usually the problem is stupidity, not inability...

Of course, what do I know, I just turned 15 myself and I'm looking forward to driving so I don't have to bother my parents about it ;)

I dont care how old you are to drive, but if you are one of those who insist on street racing, I suggest a minimum of an assault with a deadly weapons charge (felony), $1,000 fine for every mile per hour over the limit (or km.), your license taken away until you are 30 years old. And if you survive an accident, then your charge will be attempted murder in the 1st degree, with a minimum 4 year prison sentence. No bail.

Make the penalty outweigh the risk by 100 x's and maybe kids will think about it a bit.

and I'm dead serious. I think about a dozen people were killed this last spring in BC because of people who enjoy street racing on public roads, and not stopping at ligths, etc.

Yah, I agree with you Marble. They endager their own lives, and whats worse, the lives of others.