i remember in the 70's when cars were made of steel and weighed a ton, and only a few high powered cars & exotic european models could achieve 100km in under 10 secs. now pretty much every car can, whether its a xr6 or an excel. shows like top gear continue to promote the ability of these cars to do so.
im not criticising top gear, or entering into the high powered cars argument, cos i dont know enough about them, but simple developments in car design mean EVERY CAR IS CAPABLE OF DOING THE DAMAGE SEEN TODAY.
the days of learning in a sturdy 15yo kingswood, falcon, sigma, morris etc are long gone, and why? cos kids want now, and parents wont tell them no.
Sturdy mate?? I wouldn't say any of those cars are sturdy. Would you rather an old car for kids to learn in, with no airbags, no disc brakes, no decent tyres and handles like a boat rather than a modern car with all this and that handles half decent? This is my point, whether its driving a later model car or an old "sturdy" car, the same damage can be done, just think. Car load of young people, alcohol involved, they feel more confident, getting egged on by their mates, no matter WHAT car they are driving, it isn't going to end well, and NOT because of the speed, but because of the skill, or lack thereof mixed with alcohol and friends. These modern cars at least have half a chance of helping survival with the safety systems they have etc.
Top Gear also do it on in a controlled environment, this is what they need to make compulsory for young new drivers, have a course that is detailed and comprehensive and tough to pass, it will save their lives, teach them JUDGEMENT, how far you need before you pull out, and how fast you will hit that tree if you go off the road, give them techniques, have a course at a circuit somewhere, wet the corners, have a strip where its road and gravel, just like on the road, and tell them to run a wheel off so they get the feel of all this stuff.
I am young myself, and I have done a few track days, where we had exercises like this, it is a MASSIVE help, a life saver. Also being at the track makes you 10x more aware on the road, you notice how close that guard rail is or how close those trees are.
It doesn't matter how fast the car can accelerate to 100km/h, thats not when they crash, its when they are already doing 100km/h+ and things get out of control, and pretty much any car can do the speed limit, and when you go off the road, whether you're doing 100km/h or 120 or 140, its not going to be pretty if you don't know how to react. Doing the activities + more that I have mentioned in their OWN car is a HUGE advantage too.
IMO, this would make a world of difference. Places like Finland I think it is have this sort of system to get your license and as far as I know it HAS made a huge difference, young people know how to handle the car when things get sideways.
But if they are pissed behind the wheel, then it doesn't make any difference does it....oh, but its speed!