[Potomac-Greg]

Originally Posted by Redroc

It wouldn't be popular, but I think the driving age needs to be raised to 18.

I think we could achieve the same thing with MUCH more rigorous driving test, and make them recurrent (every 4 or 5 years). There are 17 year olds that shouldn't be on the road, but there are also 45 year olds that shouldn't drive.

If 40% of the kids don't fail a driving test, then it's not hard enough.

[86911TLCAB]

Lets just say it...there are a lot of bad drivers. regardless of age. This is a sad story about a couple of young lives that were cut short. thats why it gets the attention it does. Had it been two guys in the 30's who got in an accident it wouldnt get the same attention.

I think we should be a lot more strict on giving people licenses. But the same should apply to people getting house loans and women having kids. You should prove you are responsible enough to handle the responsibility before you get the license. Not sure it is going to happen, but we can hope.

I have two kids who passed through that period pretty well. They got a lot of training and were restricted from use of the highway for almost a years unless i was in the car. but today they are both good drivers and knock on wood have not been in any accidents. So there are good drivers...but there are loads of not so good ones.

[Trak Ratt]

Two more out in Laudon added to the list yesterday. 18 and 19 into a tree w/belts. Seems the only group guaranteed work these days are the grieve counselors

[joep]

Originally Posted by roundel

Just a theory.

I'll buy it. I grew up learning to drive in ice & snow. Every time it happens I just wanna sit out front in a lawn chair and watch the Idiot Ice Capades.

If a driver doesn't have respect for the machine they are in, or respect for the driving elements and conditions, or aren't thinking of what the guy next too, in front of, behind, and oncoming to you are going to do, trouble will eventually happen.

Originally Posted by Potomac-Greg

If 40% of the kids don't fail a driving test, then it's not hard enough.

-amen to that. A bell curve would be a good thing here.

[Fairfax 944]

Here's another. Very sad! Better driver education should have prevented this one.

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1108/566636.html


CENTREVILLE, Va. - Family and friends are mourning an 18-year-old Clifton man who died in a single-vehicle car crash Monday that critically injured his passenger.
Investigators believe Blair Hardy lost control of his 1997 Volkswagen Jetta in the 12300 block of Braddock Road about 4:30 a.m. Monday and slammed into a telephone pole.

Hardy was pronounced dead at the scene.

The passenger, a teenage girl from Centreville, was MedEvaced to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The investigation determined that speed was a factor and the investigation continues.

This is the 20th fatal crash in Fairfax County (web|news) this year. Around the same time last year, there were 37 crashes that resulted in 42 deaths.

[BlackTalon]

He must have been going pretty damned fast. Not sure what Driver's Ed can do to prevent that.

On the bright side, teen deaths in F'Fx Co. are down 50% this year

[berettafan]

you know when i was 16 i drove an '82 Rabbit. could MAYBE spin the wheels in the rain.

even a '97 Jetta is a hot rod compared to what i drove at such a young age.

[Fairfax 944]

Originally Posted by berettafan

you know when i was 16 i drove an '82 Rabbit. could MAYBE spin the wheels in the rain.

even a '97 Jetta is a hot rod compared to what i drove at such a young age.

Yes, that was the safety theme at this weekends DE. Back in the 80s, cars were at no more than 200hp. Now, with Hondas and every other car pushing 300hp, it's a lot easier to screw up.

[racer]

Lets be honest here.. the real killer is the trees! Get ride of trees, save lives

[hoophead]

Originally Posted by racer

Lets be honest here.. the real killer is the trees! Get rid of trees, save lives

This will do the trick: http://carboncreditkillers.com/default.asp