Age Limit Of 21 On Bus Drivers Criticised

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 14

Age Limit Of 21 On Bus Drivers Criticised

A recommendation that 19-year-old drivers be able to obtain motor-omnibus and public motor-bus licences will be sent to the Commissioner [of Transport (Mr R. J. Polaschek) by the Christchurch Metropolitan Road Safety Committee. i Mr A. W. Savage told a I meeting of the committee last evening that the present age limit of 21 was impractical. There was a shortage of drivers. and it would be an advantage to lower the age to 18. > It was wrong to condemn 18-year-olds as unfit to drive public transport vehicles. Mr R. S. Mayer said. Many younger drivers were mature and suitable. | Mr R. K. Reddy said that: although many younger driv-| lers had more road sense than[ older drivers, it was not pos-[ sible to get a heavy-duty licence while under 18. If ; it was possible for an 18-year-old to gain a passenger-; service licence, he would have had no previous experience. “What is really wanted is

! some method of selection,” ■Mr H. J. A. Lynch said. It was wrong to measure ability by age. Although he agreed that 18-year-olds would fill a desperate shortage, at least four years’ driving experience was required. Mr E. F. Wilde also agreed that many 18-year-olds were good drivers. Many of the foolish things, although often attributed to younger drivers, were done by older people. Older drivers were the menace. Mr I. McLauchlan said the most important point was the length of time a young driver would be responsible. There was not much chance of knowing exactly, even though a candidate could pass the tests with distinction. A major difficulty with younger drivers, and especially young married men, was that they did not like shift work, Mr D. L. Hogan said. Younger drivers wanted as much leisnre as possible. If any reduction of the age; limit is to be madf, the com-' mitttee decided that 19 would be the most suitable. I