Roadside Assistance - Can i fight this?

System

vicmorrow wrote: »

Does the driving test ensure you can drive safely on a motorway?

There should be a basic course on checking fluid levels under the bonnet, tyre pressures/tread depths, lights, wipers etc included as part of learning to drive/use a vehicle.

Yeah i have no problems with any of the above things being included in the test. Anything that prevents road accidents should be encouraged. However I don't believe knowing how to change a tyre fits into that category.

On motorway driving it must be difficult to have that in the test as the only way for a student to prepare is to drive on the motorway. I am uncomfortable with the thought of learner drivers hitting the M6 to practice! The only way round this is to add a third test (after theory and practical test) which deals with motorway driving, I don't see this being enforced as it will add a significant expense to learning to drive and will be very unpopular.

vicmorrow

goater78 wrote: »

Yeah i have no problems with any of the above things being included in the test. Anything that prevents road accidents should be encouraged. However I don't believe knowing how to change a tyre fits into that category.

It's all basic car 'stuff' I think.

On motorway driving it must be difficult to have that in the test as the only way for a student to prepare is to drive on the motorway. I am uncomfortable with the thought of learner drivers hitting the M6 to practice! The only way round this is to add a third test (after theory and practical test) which deals with motorway driving, I don't see this being enforced as it will add a significant expense to learning to drive and will be very unpopular.

Are you comfortable with newly passed drivers hitting the M6 without any motorway practice?

...let it be unpopular?

System

vicmorrow wrote: »

Are you comfortable with newly passed drivers hitting the M6 without any motorway practice?

...let it be unpopular?

I'm more comfortable with a newly passed driver hitting the M6 than an unqualified learner doing it. At least a newly passed driver has proven that he can drive!

Plus to be honest I think Motorway driving is the easiest form of driving there is. I don't really see it as being a major cause for concern.

vicmorrow

goater78 wrote: »

I'm more comfortable with a newly passed driver hitting the M6 than an unqualified learner doing it. At least a newly passed driver has proven that he can drive!

No, I disagree, they have proved they can pass the driving test.

Plus to be honest I think Motorway driving is the easiest form of driving there is. I don't really see it as being a major cause for concern.

So you're happy that someone from the Isle of Lewis who has passed their test there can drive along side you on the M6 safely at 70mph?

Devils advocate stuff BTW!:D

System

thankfully i very rarely drive as slow as 70 mph so i will soon outpace the Isle of Lewis newly qualified driver :-)

I think a driving test proves someone can drive. It does cover driving and basic manouvers. I would be interested to see what the split of road accidents is across the following demographics..

1) - Newly Qualified drivers
2) - Experience drivers
3) - Women

Obviously the last one is a joke :-)

fluffnutter

There's no way I'm standing by the side of the motorway in the dark and pissing rain with lorries hurtling past me to change a poxy tyre. That's what I pay breakdown cover for.

retiredalso

I am quite able to change a wheel but the last time I had a blow out I was on the M6, it was pouring with rain and it was the offside wheel.

No way was I changing the wheel in these conditions.

Luckily a police patrol car came along and parked behind me with lights flashing until the AA came along but cars were still flying past and spraying water all over car.

I would have willingly paid the £49 in these conditions, but I didn't have to.

vicmorrow

fluffnutter wrote: »

There's no way I'm standing by the side of the motorway in the dark and pissing rain with lorries hurtling past me to change a poxy tyre. That's what I pay breakdown cover for.

Do you know how to change a wheel on a sunny day outside your house?

vicmorrow

goater78 wrote: »

thankfully i very rarely drive as slow as 70 mph so i will soon outpace the Isle of Lewis newly qualified driver :-)

I think a driving test proves someone can drive. It does cover driving and basic manouvers. I would be interested to see what the split of road accidents is across the following demographics..

1) - Newly Qualified drivers
2) - Experience drivers
3) - Women

Obviously the last one is a joke :-)

No they are not...they are lovely. You should be ashamed of yourself.

fluffnutter

vicmorrow wrote: »

Do you know how to change a wheel on a sunny day outside your house?

Of course. I was baulking at the suggestion that calling a breakdown firm to change your tyre somehow made you a 'bad driver'. It might well be the most sensible thing to do.

Plus, my breakdown cover only covers me if I'm more than quarter of a mile from my house