Red Light on a driving lesson??

alwaysonthego_2

janninew wrote: »

I was taught the same way as your son, try and keep the vehicle moving instead of stopping all the time. You might start confusing him if your teaching him one thing and his driving instructor is teaching him something different. He should stick to what the instructor says, thats their job and what your paying them for!!

That's how I was taught, it could be classed as being over hesitant if he did a full stop when it was safe to proceed.

DaveF327

sundin13 wrote: »

Another factor that really bothered me is that his instructor has apparently told him

Again, it's really questioning your ability to supervise your son the moment you start to disagree with the advice of a professionally trained and qualified instructor. A student can only become as good as the person teaching him.

it isn't necessary to come to a complete stop at roundabouts and junctions where you can see that nothing is coming. I don't know if this is an 'eco-driving' thing, but I really don't like it. Its fine for me to slow down/rolling halt or whatever its called, but I just don't think learners should be encouraged to do it. I think he needs to come to a full stop and think about his next move, rather than have to make a split second decision.

First of all, you really need to get out of this mindset that "learners" should drive in a totally different manner to experienced drivers. Although these drivers differ due to their lack of experience (or making mistakes, whatever you want to call it), you cannot justify teaching anyone to drive differently to how they should on the day of their driving test (or the day after, or the day after that). If you don't teach someone the correct way from day one, how will they be expected to drive correctly on their test and beyond?

Secondly, you have already said yourself that you wouldn't completely halt at an empty roundabout. It's hesitant and you're just asking for a rear end shunt from the following driver who isn't paying full attention. He should be taught - and be allowed to practise - from the beginning how it's done correctly. Now if there are genuine doubts about your son's ability to completely stop, make a decision then go, then he should perfect this on quiet junctions suitable for that purpose, rather than a big busy roundabout.

Thirdly, if a roundabout is approached and planned correctly, the decision is rarely "split second". You plan the whole thing on approach and unless the layout is really awkward or something really strange happens, you should already know what you're about to do as you approach the give way line and make safe progress.

Seriously, given what you've said about already running a red light and your opinion on how he "should" be taught, I'd leave his future teaching to his instructor if I were you. These constant contradictions between the correct way and "your way" will do him more harm than good.

nearlyrich

sundin13 wrote: »

Another factor that really bothered me is that his instructor has apparently told him that it isn't necessary to come to a complete stop at roundabouts and junctions where you can see that nothing is coming.

GRRRRR!!!! drivers who stop for ten minutes at roundabouts where there is clearly nothing coming and they could see that on the approach, maybe you should let your son take the lessons and keep your ideas about driving to yourself? :rolleyes:

hewhoisnotintheknow

points are on the way, probably, if they are his insurance is going to be sky high!

Liz3yy

What's the point of stopping at a roundabout when there is clearly nothing coming? the whole point of them is to keep the traffic moving freely!

sundin13

Good gracious, you really are a helpful lot aren't you. :rolleyes:

Let me clarify a few things. My son has had 22 hours of lessons, and his instructor has sufficient confidence in him to say he can go out for practice with family members. He has also had a few hours with his Grandad, on an empty business park, in our car.

I went out with him on a short drive when he asked for a lift somewhere. It was at a quiet time of day, on very quiet roads. No busy roundabouts, no busy junctions.

I have absolutely no intention of contradicting his instructor. I merely found it surprising that he didn't come to a full stop at a junction where I personally would always come to a complete halt. When I asked him about this, he reported what his driving instructor had taught him. I did not tell him to do it differently, and I kept my concerns to myself.

My issue with it is the fact that until you can select the correct (lower)gear confidently when in motion, you run the risk of stalling in the middle of a junction or on a roundabout. This is what was happening on our drive, and the reason I posted about it here to check with you folks about whether this is standard practice - not just my son misinterpreting his instructor. I thank you for clarifying this for me.

Hewhoisnotintheknow: In my initial post I said that there was no camera (it is a very minor t-junction), so unless the all seeing eye of the DVLA has special powers I don't know about, I think that he is ok.

Again, thanks to those who answered my questions, and provided helpful advice which I will take on board.

flyingscotno1

sundin13 wrote: »

My issue with it is the fact that until you can select the correct (lower)gear confidently when in motion, you run the risk of stalling in the middle of a junction or on a roundabout. This is what was happening on our drive, and the reason I posted about it here to check with you folks about whether this is standard practice - not just my son misinterpreting his instructor. I thank you for clarifying this for me.

The correct gear should be being used well before the turn or roundabout. If he isn't selecting or engaging the gears before the turn he should stop as that is dangerous if he stalls it.

Rallydriver

What annoys me greatly and I can detect this coming through in some early posts in this thread is the general lack of allowance that is made for new drivers learning. You see it alot on the roads too, people just don't have the patience any more to make allowances for learners. We all started driving at some time and we all made mistakes along the way and lots and lots of people make genuine errors of judgement once they have passed their tests. Anyone getting all high and mighty about learners' mistakes I can guarantee won't be whiter than white themselves.

Inactive

2 points to add to all of this;

1). The OP sounds like they are the last person on the planet suitable to accompany a learner driver.

2). Contrary to the advice given by his Instructor, I do not believe that he is ready to have practice with a non Instructor.

flyingscotno1

Rallydriver wrote: »

What annoys me greatly and I can detect this coming through in some early posts in this thread is the general lack of allowance that is made for new drivers learning. You see it alot on the roads too, people just don't have the patience any more to make allowances for learners. We all started driving at some time and we all made mistakes along the way and lots and lots of people make genuine errors of judgement once they have passed their tests. Anyone getting all high and mighty about learners' mistakes I can guarantee won't be whiter than white themselves.

I think the problem is the roads and times instructors and learners use. As a learner I was never taken out on busy roads until my instructor knew I was up to the cut and thrust of busy rush hour traffic. I however come across learners who aren't up to it on main roads which frustrates people. Instructors need to gradually build up to heavy traffic flows and not overstretch a learner.