Red Light on a driving lesson??

sundin13

Inactive wrote: »

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.

Because I choose to err on the side of caution and would prefer him to stop before a junction rather than stall in the middle of one...or because I ask a question of a (usually) friendly, helpful community about whether this is the way learners are taught nowadays?

Rallydriver, thanks for the injection of sanity into this thread. I couldn't agree with you more. When DS1 first went on the road with his instructor he came back home and told me how nerve racking it had been with people blasting past him and tailgating him etc. I told him to always remember that feeling - because one day he'll be the driver being slowed up by the learner, and hopefully he'll have a bit of sympathy.

goldspanners

sundin13 wrote: »

Because I choose to err on the side of caution and would prefer him to stop before a junction rather than stall in the middle of one...or because I ask a question of a (usually) friendly, helpful community about whether this is the way learners are taught nowadays?

if he follows all of the instructors directions he will not stall in the middle of the roundabout, as others have stated he will be in the most appropriate gear to deal with the situation well before even entering the roundabout, so stalling should never be an issue. stopping at a clear roundabout can cause accidents aswell.

Hintza

Roundabouts are "give ways" and not "stops" and the danger will be someone will hit your son up the jaxy if he keeps stopping at them when it is not required.

DaveF327

From further information posted on this thread, I feel that his use of gears needs attention. If he's stalling due to late / wrong gear selection mid-junction, this isn't down to an error in stopping, it sounds like he's having issues multitasking the looking, steering, clutch depression and gear changing. Either that, or he has two left feet after entering the roundabout, then ends up popping the clutch while braking too hard.

After 22 lessons, footwork should be reasonably smooth and gear changes slick. He should also be able to change to any gear without looking down at the stick. If not, the instructor could do with spending more time in this area and breaking down his faults before pushing him into situations he's struggling with. This doesn't change the fact that rolling emerges at suitable roundabouts and junctions are perfectly acceptable and should be encouraged.

Inactive

sundin13 wrote: »

Because I choose to err on the side of caution and would prefer him to stop before a junction rather than stall in the middle of one...or because I ask a question of a (usually) friendly, helpful community about whether this is the way learners are taught nowadays?

.

That just confirms what I said, you are not the best person to accompany him, you are actually teaching him how to fail.

Stopping at clear of traffic give way junction/ roundabouts would result in a failed driving test.

There was nothing " unfriendly " about my comments, I was just stating the obvious. ( to most people ).

pookienoodle

I live 2 blocks away from our local driving test centre and I have to say the standard of teaching of a lot of driving instructors leaves a lot to be desired.
I have seen pupils jump red lights,take corners far too wide,wait far too long at roundabouts and go the wrong way up a one way street while with a driving instructor.
Is your son nervous because he is in the car with you? what was he like when he went out with his grandad? maybe he feels under pressure to impress you and this has a negative impact on hs driving.
I also think people are too harsh on learners,we forget we once drove in such an unrefined way.
A good driver spots a learner and gives them space,prempting any common mistakes they may make.

Inactive

pookienoodle wrote: »

I live 2 blocks away from our local driving test centre and I have to say the standard of teaching of a lot of driving instructors leaves a lot to be desired.
I have seen pupils jump red lights,take corners far too wide,wait far too long at roundabouts and go the wrong way up a one way street while with a driving instructor.
.

They may well have been on their Driving Test.;)