16 year old driver

[thastings]

I think that if the person is old enough and mature enough and the insurance company will cover this person then what's the big deal. I know that my son started driving when he was about 10 years old in the field, then we graduated him to the road at the age of 12, pulling hay wagons and equipment with a truck. I started the first time my grandfather put me under the wheel at the age of 6! (yea I know my wife didn't believe me either until my grandfather confirmed it.) I think that the reason that there is a high rate of accidents amoung teenagers is that the first time they drive is on the roadway with a screaming parent, alot of traffic, and roadrage idiots.I would much rather ride with a underage driver that has spent time on backroads driving than with a driver that is of age and the first time under the wheel.

[DrParasite]

another who has seen the light!!! great post, but you might wnt to post it with the rest of the comments about the story.

[newmedic19]

I agree 100%, I started the same way in a field when I was 10, basic skills are learned there, in for the most part and safe and controlled environment.. Skills such as backing up.. Its amazing how many people can not figure out how to back up when they are unable to look out the back window... Isnt that what mirrors were invented for.

[jack61sgfd]

After reading 8 pages of replies all I can say is you have got to be kidding. How can ANYONE justify a 16 year old driving a emergency vehicle. I have been a firefighter EMT since I was 16. The "junior times" were great but I have to say did I maturity and/or driving experience to operate a emergency vehicle? Hell no. I was fortunate (lucky) to be hired at 18 then promoted to Operator at 26 and Captain at 30. At that age was I ready to drive? A good argument can be made both ways for 26 and we are talking about 16??? Once again it shows we as firefighters are our own worst enemy. The old saying "we are just trying to help is gone". You are not trying to help..someone does that with a flat tire or a car that does not start. We are providing a life and death service. Think how you would feel if a family member was being transported "code 3" and the ambulance was involved in a accident. What is the first thing you would say? Why is a kid driving the box??? I am sure this is a great kid, I admire him for wanting to do something positive instead of being out there part of the problem, but common sense has to prevail. Once again good intentions + a lack of common sense = black eye for emergency services.

stay safe

Jack

[416417]

At my company, you have to be 21 to drive any of the apparatus. This includes an EMS first response vehicle (Ford Expedition). I mean come on ! 21 years old. I could see 18 with a Certification in Emergency Vehicle Ops but 21 makes no sense. Another thing is that if you could drive the EMS rig at 18, once you got your EMT cert, you could respond to calls on your own. Thats a big problem in my dept. becuase the EMS car sits on a decent number of calls. Lowering the driving age for a fire dept. would bring more postive effects than negative.