Isn't it 'funny' how people often support restrictive measures that don't affect them?

We all subjected the roads to our novice driving complete with its inexperience and occasional impetuosity, but some don't want to extend the same tolerence to those coming afterwards?

(follows the same pattern of pensions and university funding, so not a real surprise)

The rates of road accidents have been shown a long term decline and are now much lower than when McLoughlin and his chums were first taking to the roads.There simply isn't any need for this sort of draconian legislation.

More and more laws and less and less police to enforce them.

certain offences simply won't be policed so that they can focus their resources on the chosen offences - this effectively makes all the others legal.

Is this really the sort of legal system we want ?

I would say so. There are lots of infringements of law that, for the main part, are inconsequential. However, a particularly egregious example still leaves the police scope for prosecution. This does raise the prospect of arbitrary punishment, but I think it is a necessary evil.

It's not that straight forward. Would you really want the police to waste time trying to track down every person who has sold half an ounce of cannibas to his mate? Technically, it is drug dealing. In practice, this is so common that it isn't practical or desirable to enforce. But you wouldn't necessarily want to remove drug dealing from the statute books entirely.

I see your point but different areas have different priorities. The policing considerations of Merseyside are not likely to be similar to those in Monmouthshire. I don't see the problem with the Police focussing on the most salient problems in a particular area. Would you want the Met to have a sheep rustling task force for instance? If not, does that mean that sheep rustling should be made legal?!

The solution is perfectly simple - copy the motorcycle world where motorcycles are limited (power AND power/weight) for young novice riders. Limit the cars to 80bhp per ton and a maximum speed of 65mph - the manufacturers could quickly simply and cheaply develop a new "novice mode" ECU map for all their models, which you must get certified as installed by a main dealer. If the novice map is removed or tampered with then the car should be impounded and crushed - no ifs, no buts. This would be simple to police, put a "novice mode" flag on the DVLA database, the ANPR systems on the motorways, which already track vehicle movement and average speed, could flag up breaches. The ECU light could also be programmed to flash instead of stay on when the ignition is first switched on to signify the "novice mode" map is active - so the police could easily check compliance by the roadside. For cars with clutch pedal sensors you could also limit the engine speed to 2,000 rpm when the clutch is depressed (making boy racer drag-races off the lights impossible) as well as defeat the ability to turn off any anti-skid systems.

It's the driver's responsibility to ensure his car is road worthy, then he should verify the car has the map fitted at his main dealer. Legislation could legally limit the fitting and checking of the novice map to £100/£50 accordingly - if you cannot afford those figures then you cannot afford a car. By all means have a 14 day grace period after the car was purchased to ensure complience.

Insurance companies don't price rich, young drivers out of fast cars, limiting the cars electronically would mean you much comply - regardless of the fatness of your wallet. The power to weight limits means car will be fast enough to be safely driveable.

RE speed limiting, you're picking at straws. Limiting the top speed of cars for novice drivers is sensible. I picked 65mph as it means you cannot over-speed on A-roads by more than a small margin and it's fast enough to stay ahead of HGVs when joining the motorway.

Most fatal accidents are due to boy races driving flat out - not misjudging nuances at 50mph. This isn't a knee-jerk reaction to anything, young/novice drivers are a genine menace and kill many many road users - including themselves - practically all cars sold in the last fifteen years could be performance-limited with simple software updates, the technology is there, the cost is trivial - it stuns me that something similar hasn't been brought in already. The same software could be enforced for drivers caught speeding several times or for wreckless driving - enforced while your endorsement points are still "live". You could also volunteer to have the performance-limiting map fitted in return for a reduction in your insurance premium.

Agree with unthrottled. A lot of the 'yoof' accidents round here are loss of control on rural bends. Easily acheivable at under 65 even in an fwd supermini. Probably easier with rwd.

Plenty more are blind overtakes, corner cutting at junctions and plain failure to read the road or it's condition.

One of the best ways for youngsters to build hours is driving the family car on family business. Taking Dad to work, Granny shopping or the siblings to school, maybe sharing the driving on family holidays too. Daughter did that in my Xantia which would be borderline for 80PS/tonne never mind my unwillingness to mess with black boxes etc.

Edited by Bromptonaut on 18/11/2012 at 09:44

It's always so easy to raise the bar for others for the benefit of the greater good safe in the knowledge that it won't affect you, isn't it?

I've had a clean insurance record and driving licence since I started driving without the benefit of any electronic aids or snooping devices. I don't want any of that carp and I wouldn't expect anyone else to either.

Best way to do it compulsary fitting of driving syle "smart boxes" to all new drivers for the first (say) 5 years and/or under 25 years old, with harsh financial repercussions on insurance renewals if you drive fast or make harsh stops/changes in direction regularly, further lowering of premiums for good behavior; penalties for removing/tampering with them.

See some of my other suggestions on the DT DISQUS section below the article (I post under s***head73 there). Some you may like, others not. I just tapped away when any idea popped into my head.

I think many ideas could easily apply to motorcyclists as well.

Why limit this to new drivers? Surely it could be equally justified to apply the smart boxes to all drivers, whatever age and whatever they're driving!

Edited by Sofa Spud on 18/11/2012 at 20:26