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It appears the National government is picking a fight with its rural support base as it presses ahead with plans to lift the driving age from 15 to 16.
Prime Minister John Key has indicated the rise in driving age without exceptions will be in the government's Road Safety Strategy, being released on Wednesday, which outlines a range of measures aimed at reducing road deaths.
There are indications that the move will not be welcomed in rural areas where National dominates politically.
Federated Farmers transport spokesman Donald Aubrey says not only farmers will oppose the move, but the Automobile Association and the Council of Trade Unions as well.
"Raising the driving age won't lower the road toll. More time behind the wheel and improved training is the key," Aubrey says.
"This may work in Kelburn but not in Kerikeri. Public transport is almost non-existent in rural areas where driving isn't a rite of passage, it's an essential part of life."
Subrey says the government would be better extending the restricted licence period and other training options instead of just raising the minimum age.
"The statistics all show that accidents spike when people get their full licence. Without better training, raising the age just pushes the problem one year on."
Key says he expects a law change this year as New Zealanders aged 15 to 19 suffered 60% more fatalities and crashes than their Australian counterparts.
Key says he expects 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.
"I think, in the end, this is about saying 'look, the driving age was always aligned with the school leaving age, the school leaving age is now 16'. Yes it might cause some inconvenience for parents in rural communities but on the other side of the coin, if that means that a youngster lives and doesn't die in a road fatality, I think that's a sacrifice worth making."
Key says it is unlikely there will be any exemptions as it is difficult to define who they should apply to.
It has also been indicated that the strategy will include a zero alcohol limit for drivers under 20.
What do you think about raising the driving age? Have your say on the messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentGRACEKENNEDY 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.
mackenzie323 said on 2010-08-24 @ 20:37 NZDT: Report abusive post
Raising the driving age will only make more people eager to get out there on the road to break the law,so raising the driving age will not change anything!!!!!!!!!!