New Driver Changes in Northern Ireland

RTNI

BBC News:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18249137

What are your thoughts?

I will be watching the detail of this very closely, especially the minimum learning period of 12 months to see the specifics.

I've been driving for 10 years now and the thought of letting newly qualified drivers drive at full speeds on roads makes my heart beat a little faster...... They have to drive at full speed sometime, but maybe there is research showing that driving at 45 is more dangerous?

jenny-wren

I learnt to drive in both in NI and Scotland. I passed my test in Scotland where you learn to drive at up to 60mph and are tested at that speed. I have always said that it prepares drivers much better than our old system.

The news story says that new drivers will be 'allowed' to take lessons on motorways but it doesn't give any detail on whether learner drivers must be taught to drive at speed or have to demonstrate their abilities driving at speed during their test. Surely it would be ludicrous not to test their abilities at the speed they are permitted to drive at?

I learnt 60mph driving on country roads and dual carriageways not motorways. I've notched up almost 20 years of driving with a clean licence and no accidents. I've almost been wiped out several times by careless so-called experienced drivers switching lanes where the M2 and M3 merge so the thought of learners having to negotiate the same junction quite frankly scares the hell out of me!

Artofdookie

45 on the Motorway is certainly dangerous, try getting caught behind a R driver coming into the city, you get cars diving all over the lanes

caz2703

Either you were a late learner or you're a wee young thing Robin but I've been driving for 15+ years :eek:

The single most scary momemt for me was a motorway incident. I was coming up onto the M3 flyover from Short Strand and needed to move to the M2/M5 lanes. I stuck my indicator on but not one person would give way. I was almost into the crash barrier where the road splits into Westlink or Motorway. Now I could easily have misjudged a gap and not realised I could move across but having had no experience of motorway driving in rush hour traffic I was in the middle of a squeaky bum moment.

Compulsory 1 year seems a tad OTT. Who is to say what is done in that year? You could take your 1st lesson on the day you turn 16 1/2 and not take another one until closer to your test date.

The use of another plate again is OTT. How many cars do you see driving around with R plates on yet the driver is either clearly not the restricted driver or doesn't adhere to the 45mph restriction? How could this be policed given how few police you see on the ground?

Personally I think all forms of driving should be covered in practice and in the test. The difference between driving in a 30mph town and a 70mph motorway is incredible. I wouldn't want to have to learn to drive again under the current system.

wanchai_2

I think that the restriction on carrying young passengers will be the most interesting.

HoneyAndLemon

I passed my test in January this year, and the whole 45 mph thing really annoys me. Not because it means I can't go faster, but because other drivers are so aggressive towards me on motorways. Actually, on all roads.

I use the motorway everyday, I stick to the slow lane, and usually go around 50ish, (naughty I know), yet people STILL drive right up the back of me, not leaving any distance at all, nevermind a 'safe' distance. The number of people undertaking is ridiculous too.

Even on normal roads where the limit is 30, and I travel around 30(never under 30 normally), people still speed right up behind me and overtake making rude gestures! Im going at the limit! It really annoys me. I get that I'm a new driver, but honestly, I'd like to see some people try and pass their test these days because they'd never get it.

I do think motorway lessons should be introduced before taking the test though, like just before the test when the basic driving skills should be mastered already. Or have a separate motorway test or something.

I dont like the idea of the 2 year 'N' plates, I'm already counting down to when I can get rid of the R plates and people just stop assuming Im a bad driver/nervous driver/slow driver, when actually I'm probably a better and more aware driver than they are!

NAR

wanchai wrote: »

I think that the restriction on carrying young passengers will be the most interesting.

I think this is felt to be most contributory reason for accidents ie new drivers showing off to their mates.

RTNI

caz2703 wrote: »

Either you were a late learner or you're a wee young thing Robin but I've been driving for 15+ years :eek:

Na, I'm going to be 27 in a few weeks time - suppose that makes me young?!

I agree with the comment about drivers being aggressive above. I travel through Crossnacreevy twice a day and on the way home I swear that people are going to come into my boot! It's a 30 zone and I admit that I do about 35. Usually there is someone who decides to plant the foot and over take me about half way through as there is nothing coming - never mind about the 30 MPH restriction! (Usually catch up to them at the Moneyreagh hill or Ewarts garage though!)

RTNI

I wonder what impact the N plates will have on the Institute of Advanced Motorists here? They say (currently) you can't do the advanced test until you are off your R plates as you need to drive up to the limit. I suppose this means that you could start and take the test when you are ready.

As a member I would encourage anyone thinking about it to give it a go at your local club. For me that was Groomsport but there is a Belfast group that I think still meets in Bangor. I have saved a fortune in Insurance over the last 6 years! Far far more than the membership fee!

lazer

HoneyAndLemon wrote: »

I do think motorway lessons should be introduced before taking the test though, like just before the test when the basic driving skills should be mastered already. Or have a separate motorway test or something.

I think this is stupid idea - as not everyone lives anywhere near a motorway, and in reality there is very little difference between a Motorway and a main dual carriageway such as the A1.

Personally I live about 20-25 from a motorway, and anyone know where the nearest Motorway to Derry is - I assume its the M2.

I think the new restrictions are stupid TBH, The only change i would make is to increase the Motorway speed limit to 55mph (If the normal speed limit increases from 60mph to 70mph on a motorway, the the R speed limit should also increase.)

caz2703

There's not that much motorway over here and I'm not familiar with your side of the world but I imagine they could substitute motorway for major A road.

If you lived over near Belfast you'd know how dodgy some of the motorway driving can be. I think the biggest thing is teaching learners how to safely change lanes at speed. When you're restricted to 45mph and you have cars whizzing past you at 70mph+ and you need to make lane changes it is scary.

Thinking of a manoeuvre such as coming onto the M2/M5 from Shore Road (if my geography is correct) and needing to travel on the M5 involves moving into the M2 inside lane, M2 outside lane and then finally the M5 inside lane. That's a lot of lane changes especially when most traffic is 70mph but you are limited to 45mph.