The young boy in question was taking part in a Young Driver training course in Doncaster, UK.<\/p>\n
Apparently the courses \u2018give youngsters a chance to drive a real car in a safe but realistic environment to teach essential motoring skills that help to put those behind the wheel in good stead for when they come to have a bash at real driving lessons\u2019.<\/p>\n
The boy\u2019s mum explained that, on the way to the location for the lesson, he had commented: \u201cI\u2019ve done Mario Kart on the Wii loads of times so I think I should be alright.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the lesson he was perched on a cushion to help him see over the steering wheel and before long was \u2018making numerous laps, picking up speed and attempting gear changes\u2019.<\/p>\n
When the session came to an end he declared: \u201cThat was epic. I would love to do that again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, driving a car is<\/em> going to be \u2018epic\u2019 for an 11-year-old. It\u2019s something grown-ups do and therefore it\u2019s exciting, fun and a great big adventure.<\/p>\n And this is the very reason I\u2019m not convinced about encouraging 11-year-olds to get behind the wheel. Driving isn\u2019t something we should be selling to young children as a \u2018bit of fun\u2019 or a leisure activity to be compared with going swimming, cycling or playing sports.<\/p>\n But, for children, having a go at driving a car is always going to seem like a fun activity \u2013 especially if they get to drive without having to learn the theory of driving or rules of the road.<\/p>\n In my opinion we don\u2019t want to run the risk of instilling this attitude in young drivers. We already have that problem with plenty of drivers at 17 and 18; let\u2019s not start it even younger.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t get me wrong \u2013 I can 100% see the reasoning behind teaching driving skills at a younger age. According to the Young Driver website research shows that early driving experience cuts road accidents by 40%. I\u2019m not disputing this. However, there are two things that alarm me in particular. First, Young Driver offers driving \u2018parties\u2019 for groups of children. A birthday party is a time for celebration when groups of friends get together to have fun. To me this just reinforces the fact that driving is being promoted as a fun leisure activity to young children.<\/p>\n The second thing that alarms me is the list of reasons Young Driver offers for choosing their courses. There are ten reasons in total; number two on the list is \u2018safety\u2019. Number one is \u2018fun\u2019.<\/p>\n I think an urgent rethink is needed about the primary reason children are young as 11 are being taught to drive.<\/p>\n
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