[Barrie Yates]

Originally Posted by Gordon Booth

Whatever rules you bring in, young people will always be sure 'It can't happen to me'. That's the joy of youth, the confidence. Driving a car fast at that age is a rite of passage, it certainly was for me. I was VERY lucky as I did some stupid things, but the roads were quieter then and even a 'fast' car wasn't fast compared to todays family cars. But then they weren't as safe either and that gives the young ones even more confidence-'Even if it happens I'll survive'. I knew I probably wouldn't but it didn't stop me!
Why can't we just accept that part of growing up, part of being alive, involves taking risks and train them as well as possible and then hope they have listened and are lucky? We can't wrap EVERYONE in cotton wool ALL of the time.
And why bring in ANOTHER set of laws it would be impossible to enforce? See Foxhunting. Spend the money on training them better and HOPE!

Quite right Gordon. In my case it was motor bikes - 2 crashes, both at fairly high speed and walked away from both - but did I learn? no way, even more faith in my indestructability - that changed in the '60s