Proposal to lower the legal driving age for Emiratis only

Dubai: A proposal to lower the legal driving age to 16 from the current 18, could be only allowed for UAE nationals, a senior official said.

Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department is proposing to reduce the legal driving age from the current 18 to 16 as statistics point to the safety of having a younger generation driving on the streets of Dubai.

He however said the proposal tentatively allows it only for UAE nationals (but this will be under revision — it is proposed for Emiratis so residents won't be able to use their driving permits in their home countries). In both cases driving will only be permissible within the UAE, he said.

"Currently the legal driving age for motorcycles is 17 and driving such vehicles is much more dangerous than cars. With this proposal the 16-year-old applicant will have to go through a rigorous process before obtaining a licence and even when they get it, there are conditions to be met," he said.

While going through this process, the motorist would be close to the age of 17 while taking into consideration that the process includes 20 hours of theoretical lessons and 100 hours of practical training, he said.

According to him, motorists between the age of 18 and 20 years of age cause the least number of fatal road accidents in Dubai.

"We should have more faith in the younger generation and we shouldn't judge them based on few of reckless young motorists. With this programme, we can ensure they are well rounded about road safety and ethics and are not driving illegally," he said. Statistics released by the department show that most fatalities in accidents were people killed by drivers in their late 20s or drivers over 50 years of age.

He added that just three fatalities in the third quarter of 2008 and 2009 were caused by people in the 18 to 20 year age group.

Opposition

Al Zafein said he opposes plans to raise the age at which one can get a licence from 18 to 21.

Teenagers between 16 and 18 years of age can only apply for a licence to drive light vehicles and will also find that they have to obtain the approval of their parents.

Upon getting the permit and during the first year of driving, motorists are only allowed to drive if they are accompanied by passengers above the age of 20.

In case the motorist under the age of 18 gets 24 black points or more they will have their licence cancelled and only allowed to reapply at the current legal age of 18.

Road Permit: Global comparison

- US: Many states offer the licence at the age of 16

- Canada: 18 (however, it was recently revised upwards from 16)

- Russia: 18

- China: 18

- India: 18

- Japan: 18

- New Zealand: 15

- Ethiopia: 14

- Cyprus: 18

- Europe: 18 (in the UK, the age is 17, but plans are afoot to raise it to 18 years of age)

- Australia: Depends on location and is in the 16-18 years age group.