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Rural communities are calling for exemptions so that 15-year-olds can still drive themselves to sport and school.
But the indication from the government is that there will be no exceptions.
The call comes after the government's announcement on Tuesday that they will raise the driving age from 15 to 16 years old before the end of the year.
Anna Arends lives 20 minutes drive from her college, and at 16 and on a restricted licence, she can drive herself to and from after school activities.
But, her 13-year-old brother Sam will have that same independence.
"Anna gets to drive when she is 15 and then I gotta wait another year, so it's a bit disappointing," he says.
For rural kids like Sam and Anna it is either drive yourself or be driven by mum or dad. There are no after-school buses where they live and a taxi would cost a small fortune.
Federated Farmers says rural families need an exemption from the new rules.
"Our rural kids have generally been using a steering wheel and have been involved in vehicles before they are 15 on the farm, so when it comes to driving on the road, they're pretty experienced actually, a lot more experienced to our urban kids," says Federated Farmers spokesperson Conor English.
Federated Farmers say the government would be better extending the restricted licence period and other training options instead of just raising the minimum age.
But the Prime Minister already thinks it's a road the government is not prepared to go down.
He says he expected opposition from rural communities, who like their children to get their licences as early as possible so they can drive themselves to activities such as school and sport.
"I understand that issue and I think we've thought long and hard about that, but I think if you look at that the accidents that have occurred with 15-year-olds in rural communities, there are too many youngsters dying on the roads," he says.
The Arends family is now facing the fact that the government's bid to keep young drivers alive, will have a huge impact on their way of life.
What do you think about the driving age being raised?
Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentWai_boy said on 2012-02-27 @ 10:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is ridiculous, yes I understand our statistical rate is high however in NZ we have a wider issue relating to driver behaviour which youth of today see from the role model set by parents or adults. We have a culture of running red lights and everyone else driving is an inconvenience to us& thats what needs to change
GRACEKENNEDY said on 2011-07-13 @ 19:12 NZDT: Report abusive post
I strongly believe that changing the driving age in New Zealand is unnecessary. I feel this way because not only am I a responsible fourteen year old looking foward to getting my license but I know for a fact that car crashes often resulting in death and injury are generally due to alcohol related cases. A better solution would be to change the alcohol laws and to possibly increase the time a person is on their learners license.
steph_longstaff said on 2011-06-24 @ 09:43 NZDT: Report abusive post
I dont think the driving age should change. What needs to happen is the government needs to restrict the cc rating of cars that learners and restricted drivers can actully drive, i beleve that if we stop learners and restricted drivers driving fast cars this will stop the amount of crashes as they will actully be able to control the cars they drive.
hojksgd said on 2011-03-29 @ 18:28 NZDT: Report abusive post
The problem is not the people on learner licences because they usually have a responsible driver in the passenger seat, but it is the ease of which that a restricted licence can be gained which is the problem, people end up driving by themselves without enough experience on the road which is dangerous!
Charlottie269 said on 2010-09-22 @ 20:06 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am a 14 year old in the year above my age which means all my friends in my year can drive but i will miss out for an extra 12 months on top of the other 6 months. This new law change is only going to do 1 thing. Piss me and everyone of my friends around my age right off. This law is going to make no change to the amount of deaths because i believe its not the 15 year old learner drivers who are killing people. this law is just going to put a bad taste in my mouth for our current government.