STORY: France to reduce minimum driving age to 17
DATELINE: Aug. 24, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:52
LOCATION: Paris
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of driving school simulator
2. various of driving school
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): Paris resident
4. various of driving school instructor giving lessons to student
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): ISAAC BEILIN, Driving instructor
6. various of driving school instructor giving lessons to student

STORYLINE:

The French government has announced that it will reduce the minimum age for getting a driving license from 18 to 17 in 2024.

Officials say the reform will bring real benefits to young people.

But some French people worry that this age is too young for a person to drive a car independently.

SOUNDBITE 1 (French): Paris resident
"Personally, I took my driving test a few years ago, but it was quite a nerve-wracking experience. In other words, I was very young and took the test when I was about 18. In order to drive, I had to learn everything I could about concentration. I didn't know either. I think it's better to set the age at 18, I think that's more mature."

Considering that road accidents are the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 18 and 24, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has pledged to maintain a "high level of attention" to the standards required to obtain a driving license.

SOUNDBITE 2 (French): ISAAC BEILIN, Driving instructor
"I have just one small comment. It should be remembered that in France today, one-quarter of all traffic accidents are caused by people with less than two years of driving experience. So 25 percent of traffic accidents is still a very high figure. You know, we have to get young people, if I may use that word, on the road a little bit earlier, and I think we have to give them more support, which brings me to post-licence training. Road traffic accidents most often happen when you feel in control of your vehicle. This means you have more self-confidence, better control over the size and speed of your vehicle, and so on. As a result, vigilance will inevitably drop."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Paris.
(XHTV)