A poll commissioned by the Ohr Yarok road safety non-profit organization based on data accumulated in March 2013 shows that 28% of Israeli youths admit to have driven a vehicle prior to getting a drivers license.
Among the 17-18-year-old group, 35% of respondents admit that they know a friend that operated a vehicle without a license. This represents a significant increase as compared to the survey in 2012 when that number was only 25%.
Perhaps more troubling is the fact that among youths 12-16-years-old, 11% admit to knowing a friend who operated a vehicle without a license. The report adds that 55% of youths 17-18-years-old have a valid driver’s license.
According to the organization’s CEO, Shmuel Abuav, 1,500 youths are apprehended annually for driving without a license. He warns that this dangerous trend appears to be growing in popularity and it must be addressed in the nation’s schools.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
2 Responses
1st of all 12-18 yr olds who “admit that they know a friend that operated a vehicle without a license” doesn’t mean much. It just means his wanna-be-cool friend told him that hes driven before which is not much of a reliable source. 2nd, if it really is such an issue perhaps the government should reconsider the vigorous program they put in place to allow an Israeli to acquire a drivers licence. It takes a crazy amount of time (like 1.5 yrs) and many tests.
They ought to do that survey among Israelis living in Queens. I bet the number is higher than 28%, and not just among the under-aged.