macavity
Referee
- Messages
- 20,607
Andy -
Similar to my own experiences - grew up riding moto and driving customs around the bush. Dad raced a V8 Commo and speedway, and was hell bent on teaching me to drive at a very young age.
Hell, even an addiction to Gran Turismo has helped my understanding of car physics.
I am a quick but not aggressive driver on the road. never been booked or had a crash. Have had to take evasive action to miss countless old biddys (and young hoons) with no idea....
I believe if we are serious about saving young lives (to use a motherhood statement....) we should be encouraging an interest (and education) in cars and driving and.....ensuring they get appropriate vehicles. no one has mentioned this yet.
Same licence (got in a Toyota Echo, no doubt...) can be used to drive an old landrover, EJ Holden, or 500HP WRX...... each of these vehicles require particular skills, and present different challenges. And none of them are suitable for young drivers.
New cars, with safety features (ABS should be mandatory....) and comparatively unspectacular performance would make a huge difference. They are less likely to get into trouble, and if they do, are far more likely to survive. Things like solid steering columns, non-retractable belts and solid chassis are absolutely lethal in a crash. Good brakes and tyres (retreads should be banned. period) make a BIG difference.
May I suggest a limit of 2.0 litres (non turbo) for P platers, and (at the least) a drivers air bag?
That way they get experience, training, are less likely to get into lethal danger....
thoughts?
![:clap: :clap: :clap:](/data/emoji/1f44f.png)
![:clap: :clap: :clap:](/data/emoji/1f44f.png)
![:clap: :clap: :clap:](/data/emoji/1f44f.png)
Similar to my own experiences - grew up riding moto and driving customs around the bush. Dad raced a V8 Commo and speedway, and was hell bent on teaching me to drive at a very young age.
Hell, even an addiction to Gran Turismo has helped my understanding of car physics.
I am a quick but not aggressive driver on the road. never been booked or had a crash. Have had to take evasive action to miss countless old biddys (and young hoons) with no idea....
I believe if we are serious about saving young lives (to use a motherhood statement....) we should be encouraging an interest (and education) in cars and driving and.....ensuring they get appropriate vehicles. no one has mentioned this yet.
Same licence (got in a Toyota Echo, no doubt...) can be used to drive an old landrover, EJ Holden, or 500HP WRX...... each of these vehicles require particular skills, and present different challenges. And none of them are suitable for young drivers.
New cars, with safety features (ABS should be mandatory....) and comparatively unspectacular performance would make a huge difference. They are less likely to get into trouble, and if they do, are far more likely to survive. Things like solid steering columns, non-retractable belts and solid chassis are absolutely lethal in a crash. Good brakes and tyres (retreads should be banned. period) make a BIG difference.
May I suggest a limit of 2.0 litres (non turbo) for P platers, and (at the least) a drivers air bag?
That way they get experience, training, are less likely to get into lethal danger....
thoughts?