The UAE traffic authorities are studying a proposal to lower the driving age by one to two years from the present 18 years, a move aimed at keeping the teens away from driving motorcycles on the emirates' roads, said a report.

The UAE Traffic Council said the proposal received a favourable response at its recent meeting more so after police statistics showed that drivers aged between 18 and 21 were less likely to cause accidents, reported the Gulf News.

Majority of the council member believed that once 16 and 17 years olds start getting their driving licences, most of the teens would swap their mobike keys for cars.

“If teenagers at age 16 or 17 are allowed to get their driving licence this will prevent them from driving in an illegal and dangerous way, threatening their own lives and the lives of others,” Major General Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, the assistant to the Dubai Police Chief for Operations’ Affairs and council chairman said.

He pointed out that riding motorcycles was more dangerous for teens than driving cars.

Major General Al Zafein said the meeting also discussed various proposals and terms and conditions which would allow the age limit to be reduced, including having a close relative in the car with teenage drivers and the provision of a special speedometer capable of limiting the vehicle’s speed.

The meeting also discussed the legal age required to apply for a driving licence for light and heavy vehicles and buses.