Editorial: Driver changes on track

One year is not a long time, particularly if it means the difference between life and death. That's the view of Prime Minister John Key as he pushes to justify Government's decision to raise the driving age from 15 to 16.

It's a view that is supported by many New Zealanders. In January a survey of 2300 people reported 74 per cent want 18 as the minimum age. While the Government's decision is not quite as drastic as that, the decision is a good one.

It is a scientific fact that the brain of a 15-year-old is not fully developed. Scientists say the brain's frontal lobe, which deals with self-control and planning, does not fully develop until 25. This makes young people more likely to take extra risks and be over- confident.

This is borne out by the fact that the 15 to 19-year age group makes up nearly 20 per cent of the deaths on our roads.

New Zealand is out of kilter with other countries such as Australia and the United States where the minimum is between 16 and 17. In Britain it is 17 and in many parts of Europe it is 18.

Opponents of the move say raising the driving age to 16 will disadvantage rural people. Federated Farmers says it is unjustified and will make life difficult for young people in rural areas where public transport is non-existent.

The AA is also opposed to the move, saying it is drivers aged between 17 and 19, largely on restricted licences, who are most involved in serious crashes.

This may be true but there are still many accidents involving drivers who are only 15.

Not all of these accidents are serious and end in fatalities, but there is still enough evidence to suggest that raising the minimum driving age – even by one year – will save enough lives to negate the inconvenience rural youngsters may experience.

The Government should not stop there though.

Better driver education programmes and testing procedures are need to ensure that young drivers are fully prepared and skilled before they venture out on to New Zealand's roads.

This move, as well as other proposals due to be announced today, shows that National is prepared to make unpopular decisions in the interest of wider public safety.

The proposal that makes most sense, though, is the decision to have a zero alcohol policy for drivers under the age of 20.

This has been met with unanimous support from all quarters and is another way of reducing the number of deaths on our roads.

Who knows, one day we might have a government that is prepared to make the call to have a zero alcohol policy for drivers of all ages.

- The Marlborough Express