harryaldridge

More analysis here http://vindicovindico.blogspot.com/2...e-to-rise.html

All this will do in punish the law abiding again because of the actions of some reckless drivers. I needed to be able to drive before i was 18 because i had already set up my business. I am sure most accidents are caused by teenage drivers tying to impress their mates so the ban on other teenagers is reasonable, but to restrict sensible drivers is stupid.

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rjt

I welcome this decision by the government as I do there proposal to have a zero limit as regards drink driving.

Zak64

Back in the 1990s when I was riding motorbikes a lot I recall reading that the majority of deaths and serious injuries in motorcyclists were young men under the age of 21. That's not to say just because you've passed your 21 st birthday you can't get killed or seriously injured on a bike ! But I think it does show that a little bit of maturity will help keep you safe. It might equally be argued that young drivers who gain a bit of driving experience in a car have got more road sense, having made a few mistakes they have learned, and are safer when they throw their leg over a bike.

I will say however that taking a bike test when I was about 24 really improved my driving. On a bike you become far more situationaly aware, you read the road better, you take far more notice of what other road users are doing. Some years ago one of the big insurance companies (Norwich Union ?)offered a 13% discount on your car insurance if you had had a full motorcycle licence for two years or more.

I couldn't agree more that we need some sort of regular retesting proceedure for elderly drivers.

I would also argue very strongly for an eyesight test on licence application, every ten years thereafter, up untill the age of say 40, then every five years thereafter. I'm sure any opticians out there can advise us. I would very much expect that one of the big spin offs to be early detection of type 2 diabeties, or late onset diabeties. Early detection of this condition in large numbers would save the NHS zillions. Simple lifestyle changes can delay the onset of complications and the need for medications, and enable people to stay in work longer before early retirement or disability claims make them economicaly inactive.

I expect such a policy probably wouldn't have a huge beneficial effect on the numbers of vulnerable road user deaths/injuries. I believe a lot of them are 'look but don't see' accidents. IE a driver pulls up at a junction looks, for cars, lorries etc, but dosen't see the cyclist/motorcyclist approaching as it dosen't enter their tiny little brains that such a thing could possibly be on the road. Then they pull out, and find a Kawasaki bouncing off the wing of their car. Then a startled car driver gets out of the car and says the words all motorcyclists love. "I'm sorry mate, I didn't see you !"

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"There's no way to rule innocent men.
The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals.
Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them.
One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."~ Ayn Rand.

TonyG

Simple changes to diet can also reverse type 2. It is no longer called 'late onset' because kids as young as 8 are being reported with it.

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Zak64

I added the late onset bit for clarity. I didn't know it was turning up in children as young as eight. But I can't say I'm massively surprised, what with the Playstation generation and their diet of McJunk.

I was always told that it was reckoned to start in someones mid thirties, and usually became symptomatic 15 - 25 years later. Are you a medic, Tony G ?

__________________
"There's no way to rule innocent men.
The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals.
Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them.
One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."~ Ayn Rand.

Westcountryman

I object to that. I'm nothing short of obsessed with technology (especially my PC), and I manage to excercise and a have a healthy diet thanks.

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Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam - "This hand of mine, which is hostile to tyrants, seeks by the sword quiet peace under liberty."

TonyG

No, not a medic, just a deep interest and a reasonable amount of experience in nutrition, wife's a professional though.

__________________
If you don't think you can change the world, who do you expect to do it for you?

----

http://www.mercola.com/townofallopat...ofallopath.htm

g hall

Have you noticed something with this government about ages to do things

18 to drink, soon to smoke and now this BUT you can be buggered at 16 and there is a mind to lower the voting age to 16

Wish they'd make their minds up what constitutes an adult

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"That government is best which governs least."
"This is a sharp Medicine, but it is a Physician for all diseases and miseries".
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Remember TANSTAAFL and TANJ

B.A.Ware

so all kids are the same, once again we see blanket laws applying to the majority of innocent people just because the police cannot catch the REAL law breakers.

when will you complete idiots realise the law is to to protect the innocent and to punish the guilty.

Westcountryman

Neither the government nor the Police believe that. Just the other week here, Police prosecuted a man for detaining a shoplifter, he was fined £250. The shoplifter had all charges dropped.

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Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam - "This hand of mine, which is hostile to tyrants, seeks by the sword quiet peace under liberty."