Licence to show off behind the wheel can easily prove fatal

I NOTE with interest the recent government proposals restricting driving licences for teenagers (Yorkshire Post, October 19).

In my previous occupation I spent many hours investigating many dangerous incidents of driving involving teenagers, some, unfortunately for the coroner.

During the last 20 years or so things would appear to have been getting worse. I believe that this is down to lighter, more powerful vehicles. Also more children stay at school longer these days so when the drivers are at school there are more opportunities to take their peers with them in lunch times, breaks and after school.

This obviously leads in some cases to bravado and showing off, and sometimes has serious and fatal consequences. I cannot understand the parents of some of the teenagers in question purchasing expensive cars for use by their children.

Most of the kids do not earn any money, yet they seem to be provided with expensive driving lessons and equally expensive insurance at the parents’ expense.

I remember in the 1960s when I was 17, and having just passed my test, buying my own car for around £20 having worked in a garage since leaving school  at 15.

I’m sure I got more satisfaction from this than some youngsters of today who seem to be provided with everything with nothing much in return.

The way I see some of their driving also gives me the impression that they rip up the Highway Code at the same time as the L plates on passing their test.

I know of dozens of new drivers who have had their licences revoked and have had to be re-tested, having gained six penalty points in next to no time.

In addition to the restrictions being proposed, I would suggest that the driving test be made two-part.

Pass the first part and get a restricted full licence for a year, and only get the full licence after taking part two of the test a year later.

They would then focus more  on good driving during the  first year instead of showing  off and would learn how to  keep up a proper standard of driving.