Govt is `just fiddling' says instructor

The nation's young people will now have to wait another year to get behind the wheel, but a Blenheim driving instructor believes it will make no difference to crash rates.

Cabinet yesterday confirmed that the minimum age to obtain a learner driver's licence will rise from 15 to 16, under new legislation the Government hopes to pass before the end of the year.

Blenheim driving instructor Rod Hill said the increase of a single year would not change anything.

"The Government are just fiddling around with things instead of actually doing something positive. If they were going to make meaningful change, they'd raise the age to 17 or 18."

Blenheim student Caitlyn Coffey, just turned 15, said she understood the reasons behind the change but believed it was a bit "unfair on younger people".

"It's only the immature ones who take risks."

At present, Caitlyn's mother Sandra drops her off at school, work and extracurricular activities, which Mrs Coffey admitted could be "a little inconvenient".

Caitlyn is about to begin studying for her learner licence. She said being able to drive would give her more independence and take pressure off her parents.

Mrs Coffey said she believed a person's ability to drive safely depended on their maturity.

Learner driver Kieran McDougall, 16, who is in the process of getting his restricted licence, said getting a licence gave him a sense of freedom and independence.

"It's just about the freedom to go wherever you want and to be able to drive."

Kieran still uses his bicycle to get around, but is looking to buy a car soon.

Despite the new changes, Mr Hill said he did not expect to be inundated with young drivers wanting to get their licences before the legislation was passed.

"Right now, the average age for people getting their learner's is around 16 anyway. It won't make much difference."

Mr Hill, who has more than 10 years' experience in the industry, would prefer compulsory defensive driving courses and mandatory third party insurance, which he said would make the "death machines" associated with young drivers too expensive.

"There are a lot of good kids out there who value their licences. It's just a small group spoiling it for the rest."

In addition to the raised age, the new legislation is expected to include tougher restricted licence tests and will allow learner drivers to complete a defensive driving course. The New Zealand Herald reported today that Transport Minister Steven Joyce said the driving age would be raised to 17 "as the next step".

By Simon Wong begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting - The Marlborough Express
Last updated 11:24 16/04/2010