A decision to raise the driving age will disadvantage rural children who have limited public transport, Northland farmers say.
Federated Farmers is disappointed with a decision to increase the driving age from 15 to 16 as part of the New Zealand Road Safety Strategy 2010-2020.
Other actions will include introducing 120 hours' supervised driving practice for restricted licence holders and investigate vehicle power restrictions for young drivers.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce said power restrictions were successful in Australia, although there had been problems with enforcement.
Federated Farmers' Whangarei, Far North and Kaipara provincial president Denis Anderson said the Government had got it wrong.
"Most farmers will be disappointed that their kids will not be able to drive cars because they certainly start driving from an early age and come through with quite a bit of experience over time."
Mr Anderson said teaching children responsibility before they got behind the wheel was key to safe driving.
Farmers of New Zealand operations manager, Bill Guest, agreed, saying the country was over-regulated. "It's like a police state. A difference of 12 months is not going to make-or-break situation and this decision will prejudice a lot of rural children."
Kamo High School student Maihi Allen, 14, was also disappointed by the move.
He wanted to take his car to school. "I think it [driving age] should be kept at 15," he said.
Chairman of the Tikipunga High School board of trustees, Martin Bryers, said the latest decision contradicted a lot of programmes government implemented to keep students in school.
The Government used to provide buses for rural students but services were cut back, he said. However, Farmers of NZ president and deputy chairman of the Northland Regional Council, Ian Walker, supported the move.
"I am not sure whether the Government's decision will fix anything but I think it's worth a try," he said.
Driving law 'will isolate our kids'
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