Road Safety Council warns against government proposal to allow 17-year-olds to drive alone in Denmark

Allowing 17-year-olds to drive alone, as proposed by the government, is not a good idea, according to the Road Safety Council. The council predicts that this change will lead to an increase in injuries and fatalities among young drivers. Karina Petersen, deputy director, expressed concern over the proposal, stating that calculations indicate more young people will die or be seriously injured annually if the change is implemented.

The government proposal is part of its rural initiative, aimed at improving mobility for young people in rural areas where access to educational institutions can be challenging. While acknowledging the issues in rural regions, Petersen warns of the dangerous implications of allowing very young individuals to drive unsupervised.

Currently, 17-year-olds can obtain a driver’s license but must be accompanied by someone aged over 30 with at least ten years of valid driving experience. The new proposal would allow them to drive without supervision but with specific conditions: they can only drive alone between 5:00 AM and 8:00 PM, and first-time license holders will face stricter penalties for driving under the influence.

Petersen emphasized that young people’s brains are not fully developed, making them less capable of anticipating risks or understanding the consequences of their actions compared to adults. She noted that allowing 17-year-olds to drive alone could replicate the increase in injuries and fatalities seen when the scooter driving age was lowered from 16 to 15. In summary, age and experience are critical factors in road safety, and the Road Safety Council remains firmly against the proposed changes.