Driving test changes in 2010

Jakg

DCFC79 wrote: »

It can only be a good thing if its harder, less boy racers on the road

...because obviously, young drivers are the only bad drivers ever.

The UK driving test is already hard enough most "experienced" drivers would fail, making it harder wont stop those who already have a license and have no idea about lane / indication discipline.

delain wrote: »

Maybe the no passengers should just apply to 17-19 year old new drivers.

Oh great, so after passing my test and being told I was well on the road to becoming an advanced driver, and then going on to to pass plus I still shouldn't be able to carry a passenger? What sort of ridiculous rule is that!



Minimum learning time is ridiculous - I passed very quickly, but I still passed first time so I cant be that bad, my Mum took several years and several tests to pass. Does that mean, by proxy, she's safer than me?

If you want to make the test harder, thats ok - but for the love of god retest everyone else as well - why does everyone seem to think lane discipline / indicators dont apply to them?

DaveMacD

Some people are natural drivers, most need education, and some will never be drivers. In what way a minimum length of time learning will help is beyond me.

There should be more emphasis on driving theory while at school. The CPT is taught at school, and as far as I'm concerned, makes better cyclists.

angeltreats

I'm interested to know what you guys think of the R plate thing in Northern Ireland.

When you pass your test there, you have to display R plates on your car for a year. The R stands for Restricted, and the restriction is that for a whole year after passing your test, you are not allowed to drive over 45 mph. Not even on a motorway (but you are allowed on motorways).

While learning to drive, you are also never allowed to drive over 45 mph.

Personally I think it's a terrible idea. Not least because you are never actually taught to drive at high speeds (and by high I mean up to 70 mph), and controlling a car at 70 is quite different to controlling a car at 45. So after a year of driving very slowly you're suddenly expected to know without ever having been taught, if you see what I mean, and I think that's really rather dangerous. As is driving at 45 mph on a motorway. I'm glad a speed restriction of this type isn't one of the new changes in the rest of the UK.

pitkin2020

delain wrote: »

Much of the problem with younger drivers is drink and drug driving, and that's just as lethal whether they've got a micra or a brand new mazda 3

QUOTE]
thats a very bold statement to make, which i think you should reconsider, most young drivers have had the effects of drink driving drummed into them over and over again, i think you will find stats show that most drink drivers are 30+

angeltreats

pitkin2020 wrote: »

thats a very bold statement to make, which i think you should reconsider, most young drivers have had the effects of drink driving drummed into them over and over again, i think you will find stats show that most drink drivers are 30+

I would agree with this. I worked in a pub for years and always noticed that the young guys who were driving always ordered a coke. I think part of it is that they were so proud of their cars. However a lot of the staff (always the 30+ crowd) drove to work, drank like fishes after closing and drove home again. It used to make me really cross.

I'm 29 btw and will not ever drive if I've had more than one bottle of not-very-strong beer.

pitkin2020

you also have to remember 20 years ago drink driving wasnt such a big deal as it is toda yes it was still illegal but they still did it today your bombarded with ads and campaigns showing you the effects more vivedly

mpchooligan

delain wrote: »

Much of the problem with younger drivers is drink and drug driving, and that's just as lethal whether they've got a micra or a brand new mazda 3
.

What dumb stereotyping...

How old are you? Do you actually mingle with people under 25 often?

We don't all drink and drive and take loads of drugs behind the wheel :rolleyes: Most younger drivers have had this "don't drink and drive" stuff drummed into their head 2 million times.

DaveMacD

angeltreats wrote: »

I'm interested to know what you guys think of the R plate thing in Northern Ireland.

When you pass your test there, you have to display R plates on your car for a year. The R stands for Restricted, and the restriction is that for a whole year after passing your test, you are not allowed to drive over 45 mph. Not even on a motorway (but you are allowed on motorways).

While learning to drive, you are also never allowed to drive over 45 mph.

I still think the P plate should have been made compulsory after passing. I agree with you though, the speed restriction of 45 is ludicrous. I kept my P plate on until I'd had a chance to get extra tuition for M'ways. The difference I had when I was learning was that my parents would take me out to practice (in addition to 'proper' lessons) so I had experience of driving in snow, ice, heavy rain, night-time, fog, etc. And since we lived in the country, I also got a wide range of unusual situations to cope with too. I rode a bike for 2 years prior to my test, which is also invaluable experience you can never be taught in a classroom.

Rolandtheroadie

Give them a licence at 16. Have it heavily restricted (like a biker at 16) with what they can drive (limit the power as there arnt as many small powered cars). A biker at 16 is restricted to around 30 mph I believe.They get a licence a year earlier but with these restrictions till they are 17.
By the time they are 17, they will have gained a lot of experience. The !!!! holes will have proven their insurance should be through the roof, the others will have a years NCB.

Then they sit a proper test.

Inactive

delain wrote: »

It's the ones who've been driving 40/50/60 years and never looked at the highway code since we need protecting from!

Sadly the accident statistics prove otherwise, it is young, mainly male, newly qualified drivers that cause the most carnage on our roads.

I would suggest to you, that you prove your own driving competence by passing your own driving test before making critical comment about drivers.