The concept of a Graduated Drivers Licensing Program for new drivers, is that it puts extra restrictions and limitations on them during the probationary period.

I agree with that.

If the new driver violates these additional restrictions, they get their license suspended, and their graduated licensing program starts again.

I totally disagree with that..

How is suspending someone from learning how to drive, improve their driving behavior?  The longer you sit idle without driving, the better chance you have of not getting enough practice.

For instance, let’s say you were teaching a 5 year old how to say the alphabet A, B, C

After much repetition, the 5 year old forgets a letter, and you say “I’m sorry. Until you learn to get the alphabet right, you are going to have to suffer the consequences. You are suspended from repeating the alphabet for 3 months. Once your suspension is over, we’ll try the alphabet again.”

Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it?

Well that is exactly how Graduated Drivers Licensing Programs work. While the government feels happy that they are keeping these drivers off the road, they are just escalating the problem by interrupting the learning path of new drivers.

So what should we do when a new driver gets a ticket?

Well, hurt them where it counts. Give them a fine, give them a single day in jail. But do not take away their driving privileges for 3 months. It is counter productive and stupid.

Its unfair to the new driver. It’s unfair to existing drivers on the road who constantly have to dodge new drivers who are back on the road, all nervous, after being suspended for 3 months.

But ahh, there is one benefit, and the government likes this part. When you suspend a new driver, you issue him fines that he must pay. Then you impose “reinstatement fees”, and new “drivers license replacement fees”, and other associated taxes and costs.

Well if money is an issue, forget the suspension, and just charge the person, and either give them a full day in jail (which is enough to irritate anyone), or send them to 2 or 3 days of mandatory classes. Eventually these kids will get the message and be more cautious on the road.