My 14 year old daughter wants her driving permit. I think I'd rather she start on the pot or booze, or turned to teenage prostitution - it would be safer than these roads.

It's been a horrendous month - these are just some that I can remember hearing about.

3 dead in 3 seperate crashes last night in Calgary

Teen taken to hospital after being hit by truck - Chestermere

Another dead teen - Edmonton

5 dead in crash on Highway 2 - Innisfail

One dead - Lethbridge - 20th March

New rules for young drivers - 15 teens and people in early 20's killed on Alberta roads since October 2011.

Get the picture? What the f*** is the matter with these drivers? And before you all spout off that scores of people have died on UK roads too, remember that Alberta only has about 3 1/2 million people.

I'm fed up today. Rant over

SO with you on this!!

Most of these young fatalities are linked to impaired driving, and even if the youngsters aren't themselves impaired I think they maybe lack the experience to anticipate OT avoid these horrendous collisions?

Whenever my 20 yr old son has the car I have a sense of relief to see him safely home, and he passed his test last fall..... I wouldn't think of even letting a 14 yr old start here in the city.

Maybe (?) I'd feel differently out in the sticks?

It is shocking the amount of drink driving that goes on here....they were trying to lower the drink driving limit the amount stick it got from bar and resteraunts owners on the news was appaling...about how it would harm thier business if people couldnt have a drink and then drive

Here in Kelowna we have had several recent deaths due to poor driving and numerous injuries, it seems to have hit an all time high this last few weeks and no one knows why. Someone has even started a "name and shame" section on the local forum getting people to photo drivers on their cells texting and talking then posting them up as well as forwarding to police.
Red light runners seem to be really bad here and just general lack of observation. A jeep ran into the back of a motorcycle throwing the rider off the bike and pinning him under the van in front, both van and bike were stopped at lights and witnesses say the jeep driver was "texting" or dialing a number and didn't stop in time.
Edit to add the motorbike rider died.

Like they say, kids remain kids much longer in Canada

Definitely not, due to the lack of public transport, distance between small towns that prevent affordable taxis, trucks that make kids feel invincible and the fact that tailgate parties out in the midde of somewhere or other - it's a recipe for disaster.

At least where we are we have ample public transport (buses and/or lrt) so if sonny-Jim is meeting up with his mates in the evening he doesn't normally take the car....

You're right. In rural areas kids have less choice.

Around these parts the thing that constantly amazes me is the lack of seatbelt use & the inevitable results when an accident happens. "Thrown from the vehicle" is a common phrase in news reports.

Canada presumably never had the equivalent of Jimmy Saville exhorting everyone to "clunk click on every trip".

It's a natural consequence of the "drive-everywhere" car culture.

Add in awful driving standards and tolerance of booze and it's a recipe for heartache.

That's it in a nutshell. I think I have a good (great here ) standard of driving and no tolerance for booze behind the wheel. The fact that I can be wiped out in nano-seconds by some pissed up sod, while minding my own business, makes me quietly mad.

Yes, it could happen anywhere, anytime - it just seems so frequent here.

There is poor attention and judgement all around.
And crappy laws that are no deterrent.

And it get's icy too. Let's just add that into the mix.

Ann - I think you are, as they say "preaching to the converted". It disgusts me the number of people I see on the phone, the amount people drink and then get behind the wheel thinking they are "ok", lack of lane discipline & general spacial awareness. We have had our van hit on five separate occasions in car parks from people not paying attention when opening their truck doors; then they drive off and park somewhere else...

Helen

Our just turned 18 year old is desperate to get her driver's license. The only thing that is stopping her learning right now is that she can't afford it and we won't insure her on our car. (our only car right now)

All her friends drive either their own car or parents' cars. She gets rides from them all the time and though none of them drink and drive () I still feel very anxious about their lack of experience behind the wheel. On her birthday she took a group of friends to a movie and my husband took her and a couple of others in our car. Her 17 year friend, just passed her test, thought he was driving too slowly so she overtook him at over the 80 kph limit and on an icy road. Her friend thought it was hilarious

Everyday while I wait with our 2 youngest at the bus stop I see drivers on their phones driving too fast in a residential area, twice last week drivers failed to stop for kids crossing at an intersection. It will only be a matter of time before a child is knocked over.

There needs to be a far greater police presence around town here IMHO rather than in the car park at Timmies.

And there is no way thet I will ever let any child of mine behind the wheel at the age of 14...it is sheer madness.

You should change the title to Canada,its all over and its getting worse I have just had to go to a funeral of a friend who was killed in a needless accident which was someone else fault!!!!

Bingo good for you
Our just turned 18 year old is desperate to get her driver's license. The only thing that is stopping her learning right now is that she can't afford it and we won't insure her on our car. (our only car right now)

Luckily my kids are now 26 and 21. Maybe I was too old school with them.
You want a cell phone then get a job and buy your own.
Want a car or drive one then get a job and pay for the car or insurance.
Cant afford your cell phone bill then get a job or be cut off.
Want designer clothes then get a job and buy your own.
Until the sense of entitlement of having a car goes away then it wont get better and why are parents buying or letting them use BMWs, Mercedes etc etc. Sure you graduated well done now go out and find a job that will let you buy a BMW, Lexus etc.
Both have jobs, have not been arrested(yet) and fend for themselves.
Yes they were lucky compared to others or was it down to parenting and instilling values, ethics etc and warning them they are not invincible.

Big here in NS also. I am truly amazed at what I see on the roads here. On my way home from work at least once a week I see someone cut right across the lanes when the light just turned red. The amazing thing is the Canadians don't even beep at this driver they just stop and let them continue across!

Cell phones when driving also big issue here and don't even talk about drink drivers especially in redneckville.