Results from last week's online poll 1/30/06

A bill has been proposed that would call for Missouri teens under the age of 18 to take a formal drivers' education course before getting their license. Should Missouri youths have to wait until they turn 18 to get a driver's license? Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100. (657 votes)

* 53.6 percent: Yes

* 42.9 percent: No

*3.5 percent: Undecided

Posted comments:

* "It is the older drivers who should have to be tested after a certain age."

* "It is hard enough for teens in this area to get and hold part-time jobs without any public transportation. Why make it more difficult by a decision like this?"

* "Completion of a formal driver's ed program should be required and it should be reintroduced into the school system."

* "Either that or ban them from cell phones!"

* "Regardless of age, I'd like to see that no one obtain a license until he/she either verifies a high school diploma or GED certificate. It makes no sense that a teen can both quit school and obtain a license at the age of 16."

* "I have seen too many fatalities of teens or teens causing fatalities. It is for their own safety. There is a video for purchase from the DMV that is a wonderful tool to train your child. If you log on to the Missouri DMV you will see it. It also teaches basic car maintenance as well."

* "Yes, 16-year-olds are bad drivers, but at least they have 2 more years at home to get some adult supervision. If they waited until they turned 18, then they would be off to college with their new driver's license with no supervision whatsoever. The "problem age" would then move from 16- to 18-year-old, to the 18- to 20-year-old range."

* "I love having my 16-year-old driving, they have a whole year (at age 15) to learn. Parents should have them out driving and learning before they turn 16, so they aren't just thrown to the wolves at 16. Supervise and teach them right from wrong while they have their learner's permit."

* "I think that a driver's course is a good idea. Many younger people do not understand the courtesies of the road, such as keeping the left lane open for passing, etc."

* "If you make kids wait until they are 18 to drive then parents and children would have problems with it. A way to make children become better drivers is to make the driver's test harder."

* "If you make kids wait until they are 18 to drive then parents and children would have problems with it. A way to make children become better drivers is to make the drivers test harder."

* "I think they should drive on a permit until 18. Kids these days are up against more traffic and different conditions compared to 10 years ago. You have to be a lot more alert with all the traffic. They don't pay attention!"

* "I think the mandatory driver's education course is a good idea, but it doesn't seem fair to take away that "rite of passage" that is getting one's license at 16. If the course could be completed during the permit stage -- while the driver is 15 -- then I'd be okay with that."

* "It would save a lot of gas and lives."

* "Let them get it at 16, but only if they've completed training/education course."

* "No, driving is a way to teach teens responsibility and give them some independence. The formal education courses should start before they reach the age of 16 to better prepare them for driving."

* "Please don't take away a tradition from them. Make it tough to get a license or penalize only the ones that screw up. I'm 55 years old, and I say don't punish all the kids when only a few need it."

* "Teens need good driver education courses and lots of practice. Restricted driving privileges the first couple of years is good."

* "Sixteen-year-olds are not mature enough to drive."

* "Sixteen- and 17-year-olds do not have the mature judgement to drive in today's heavy traffic. And think of the extra traffic, air pollution and parking problems they create by driving to school instead of riding the free school buses. Thing of the savings in gas consumption alone."

* "Keep driver's ed in the schools and maybe the teens can change the driving habits they pick up from their parents and the fatality rate for teens will drop."

* "Children today have to help out with the bills. How will they get to work? Some get jobs to get health benefits because most families can't afford health insurance."

* "I think drivers also over 65 should be tested before renewal."

* "A formal driver's ed course should be mandatory at any age for anyone applying for a first-time driver's license. With an additional one-year driver's permit period where the student driver must be accompanied by an adult with a valid driver's license."