November 22, 2007
This Kid Can Buy A Car In Ontario. Legally.
Remember when you were like fifteen and it was a TOTAL BUMMER that you couldn't buy alcohol, because, you know, you weren't of age yet? And now that you've been legal for what seems like an eternity, and you're older and wiser, with many formative life experiences behind you, you realize that not being able to buy booze at the age of fifteen was probably a good thing, and likely prevented more than a few unsavory situations?
So, wouldn't you think that the same principle would apply to driving? People that aren't old enough to drive shouldn't be able to buy cars, for fear of, oh I don't know, fatal car accidents?
Not so, friends. There is no minimum age for buying a car in Ontario. Which is why a 14-year-old kid from Ajax was able to buy a '91 Mazda last Friday and go for a ride with his two friends, subsequently crashing the car and killing both his buddies, and is now facing two charges of criminal negligence causing death. Since the accident, Premier Dalton McGuinty has pledged to "take a look at what, if anything, we need to do, flowing from this tragedy."
"What, if anything." Hm, let's see... Conservative MPP Bob Runciman says maybe we should not let kids under the legal driving age purchase cars. Yeah, we think that sounds like a pretty good idea.
|
This certainly DOES seem like a no-brainer, doesn't it?
whatever. age to buy a car, who cares? you still have to be insured and of age to LICENSE it.
access to a car is not the problem. the same kid who can "buy" a car (who has that money at 14!!) can just as easily steal the keys to his parents' or a friend's car.
what this SHOULD be all about is dealerships not selling cars without proof of insurance/license plates (which was mandatory when i bought my car--the dealer even organized it all) and then also, policing for cars without proper license plates.
There's a good letter in today's Star explaining why prohibiting unlicensed drivers from purchasing vehicles isn't a practical solution.
Raise the legal driving age to 30!
This doesn't really make any sense. A 14 year old should be able to own and operate a car dealership without having to rely on his parents to "technically" purchase the vehicle on his behalf.
Don't laugh, young entrepreneurs not only exist everywhere but are totally awesome.
Also perhaps some Car Buying 101 would have been helpful - most cars made before '92 only have driver side airbags.
I wasn't allowed to drive my car off the lot without proof of licensing and insurance. Whoever sold those kids that car is to blame.
But people under 16 can't drive the cars on public roads, but what if they want to buy classic cars to restore? Or import or export vehicles as a means of earning money? No new laws are necessary.