Debate Sparked Over The Age Kids Should Learn To Drive

Twelve year olds could soon be sitting behind the wheel of a car as part of a radical bid to tackle the rising road toll.

NSW Nationals MP Andrew Fraser is urging the government to introduce programs run by the Confederation of Australia Motor Sports (CAMS), which start kids learning to drive at enclosed driving ranges during year 7, from age 12 and up, shares Daily Telegraph.

The move comes after the death toll on NSW roads was reportedly at its highest since 2014 and the government nowhere near its target of reducing fatalities by 30 per cent by 2021.

Mr Fraser said. “I can guarantee there will be critics, there will be in my own party. My response to them is it’s teaching them skills that when they are on the road will save their lives. It’s about giving them a full education, not just enough to pass the test.”

CAMS President Andrew Papadopoulos said he would be “very keen” to introduce their youth driver program to schools.

He said they could potentially use school car parks. Children use their parents’ cars on the course and learn skills including braking, acceleration and skid control.

“Some people do think 12 is too young, but it’s a controlled and supervised environment,” he said.

Social media response goes wild

A discussion on Studio 10 found most people voted NO to the suggestion.

“No. They haven’t got the mental maturity.”

“I do not think that 12 year old children should start learning how to drive.”

“No way don’t be ridiculous.”

“Noooooooooo waaaaaay!!”

“Sorry raise the age, not lower it. Until a person is old enough to stand trial for killing someone in a car , they should not be on the road.”

MoM says

I actually think it could be a great thing. It is not like they will be out driving on the roads. They will be in a controlled environment learning skills that will be very useful when they are old enough to get their licence. Practice is definitely not a bad thing.

What do our MoM’s think?

Share your comments below.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

18 Comments

- - mom111059 said
  - 27 Jun 2018
    10:14 pm
Please no, not 12 year olds

- - Cookfromscratchmum said
  - 25 Jun 2018
    9:17 am
In my opinion the driving age should be 18

- - mom81879 said
  - 24 Jun 2018
    7:35 pm
I like the idea of having drivers ed in schools and defensive driving courses, but I always worried about my kids learning to drive at age 16, it’s so young

- - Staceylee101 said
  - 22 Jun 2018
    9:53 pm
If it’s at a drivers ed place that is well monitored and they teach the children how to handle the car in all situations. I believe it to be a great idea. But not on the road!!! I do not want to be killed by a 12 year old that whiskey throttles it.

- - becstalou said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    6:56 am
I’m not against the concept but I wouldn’t be keen to have a 12 year old driving my car even in a controlled environment.

- - mom206279 said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    12:51 pm
If its supervised and not on the road, I think its a great idea. I was in paddock bombs from that age and it taught me so much about controlling a car and how not to panic when I lost control. I believe the experience made me a much better driver.

- - mom265671 said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    1:12 am
No way too young!!

- - mom93821 said
  - 17 Jun 2018
    6:11 am
Just a question? But at this age can the children even see over the steering wheel?
- mom93821 replied
  
  18 Jun 2018 , 6:40 am
  And…can you just imagine the insurance premiums? Way too many questions and concerns about this idea. Not an idea I support.
- - mom303467 said
  - 16 Jun 2018
    7:34 pm
I think it’s too young! Maybe 15? But 12 seems way too young.

- - jacqbeckett said
  - 12 Feb 2018
    2:46 pm
I wouldnt let my 12yr old behind the wheel if hes immature to be at home alone. Im go for them to watch videos and education about driving at younger age but lowering the age is creating more deaths.

- - june11 said
  - 11 Feb 2018
    12:48 am
I am sure CAMS won’t do this free of charge. They need to see the consequences of accidents before they even learn the theory part of learning to drive. Dual control cars should be used. If they use the parent/s vehicle are they going to check whether parts of cars operate correctly. e,g, brakes, including the “hand” brake, steering, tyres are roadworthy etc ? The car may not even be roadworthy, let alone safe for a learner. They still shouldn’t be allowed to drive on the open road until the age that they are allowed to now. I know kids on farms learn how to drive at a younger age – on private property – not on public roads. Admittedly some kids race Superkarts at a young age – yes, in a controlled environment – after learning the rules which apply to racing.

- - mom160421 said
  - 31 Jan 2018
    7:44 pm
I doubt this will reduce the road toll. Showing young teens what happens in an accident will probably have a bigger effect on making them think about their actions.

- - Ellen said
  - 31 Jan 2018
    7:45 am
No way, far too young ! My 12 year old son is just about 1.20 m, he would not be able to reach the pedals !!

- - Myrlie said
  - 30 Jan 2018
    6:38 pm
As someone who started to learn to drive as soon as I could reach the pedals and see over the steering wheel, I am all for students to learn at a young age in a controlled environment. I started in my Grandparents paddock and didn’t go onto the road until I was of legal age.
But I do think it being a dual controlled vehicle might be a good option if they are doing it in a small area with lots of obstacles to potentially hit. It will help them learn as well as pay attention to adult drivers behaviours when driving. Sure there might be some unhealthy behaviours, but there is potential for good that some drivers don’t get until they’ve had a license for several months or even years

- - mom112217 said
  - 30 Jan 2018
    3:31 pm
I believe 12 years old is far too young.