Lowering UAE legal driving age 'can improve safety' experts say

The Ministry of Interior is considering lowering the legal age for eligible drivers in the UAE to accommodate the needs of families that rely on their under-18 children to run daily errands.

The legal age at which young people can learn to drive is being discussed in the UAE. Sammy Dallal / The National

ABU DHABI // Lowering the age at which youths can drive will help to improve road safety, experts said yesterday.
The Ministry of Interior is considering lowering the age from 18, partly for families that rely on younger members to run daily errands.
"I think it's a good idea as long as they follow international practices in the implementation," said Dr Abdulilah Zineddin, who specialises in traffic engineering and safety in Abu Dhabi.
But if the lower age limit - which the ministry would not specify - is to be effective, younger drivers should be taught slowly.
Dr Zineddin suggested such training could be provided by a graduate driver licensing programme.
Other requirements could include being allowed to drive only in daylight and away from motorways, he said. "From a safety point of view, young adults can be introduced to driving over time while, at the same time, reducing any risks for the rest of the drivers," Dr Zineddin said.
A full licence should only be issued after these steps have been completed, he said.
The ministry's policy and strategy council, chaired by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior and Deputy Prime Minister, discussed safety requirements to go with the new measure, The National's Arabic-language sister paper Al Ittihad reported yesterday.
They would include a monitoring system to ensure under-18 drivers did not go over speed limits or drive negligently.
The council also discussed having a relative accompany young drivers to make them more likely to stick to traffic and safety rules.
Sheikh Saif said the main goal behind the project would be to serve the community and make sure their transport needs were met without prejudice, while taking into account the safety of young drivers and of other road users.
In the first 11 months of last year more than 100 people died on Dubai roads. In Abu Dhabi, more than 150 people had died by the end of October.
Opinion on lowering the age has been divided among the community. Younger drivers might make unwise decisions, said Eman Ahmed, 27, who works for the Government.
"Under-18s are not very responsible, especially in the UAE," said the Emirati. "They might make reckless actions."
Others disagree.
"I think it's a good idea," said Hammad, 23, from Abu Dhabi. "I think it depends on the family. I have been driving since I was 14. My father taught me to drive as a kid.
"It depends on the person. If someone wants to be reckless, learning at 17 or 18 is not a big difference."
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