Printable View
Yes, I wonder what the rationale was behind the system whereby having some formal instruction before the test isn't required, because it does seem strange to assume that everybody will have been sensible enough to do so.
I suppose I was referring to the content of the test itself.
Fine, add to the content too. Another ten minutes should do it. Hardly a bank breaker considering what's at stake.
Roundabouts should be in the test, nobody ever gets them right. Even a fake one in a car park is better than nothing, if there's a centre with none near.
I suppose that accepting the fact that the privilege of driving and riding on the motorways and roads carries with it a certain amount risk if you want to participate in the game is out of the question?
I got my motorcycle license at age 15. They didn't have an engine size restriction then, only a 5 bhp restriction which covered you up to around 90cc engines. There weren't many 100cc bikes then. Freeways only had a restriction of a minimum of 45 mph. If your bike was street legal and could do at least 45 mph, you were free to ride anywhere. I did alot of riding in Pasadena, Texas during a time when tagging a motorcycle was generally considered good sport and if you squashed one now and then,....oh well.
I learned defensive driving real quick. Don't ride in groups of cars, when braking check the rearview mirrors to make sure the car behind you is braking, leave a gap to the car in front of you so you can accelerate out of the way if the guy behind you can't stop fast enough, don't ride in the middle part of the lane because thats where leaking fluids from cars accumulates, make sure you can see the face of every driver around you either directly or in his rear view mirrors so he will see if he bothers to look, if you can't see his eyes, he won't see you, and last of all always play the "what if" game i.e., if this lame b@stard pulls over right now, what am I going to do?
I have arguments with people about accidents. Yes they are going to happen, but driving defensively and always being aware of what is going on around you can limit your participation in them. I know a lady that has had 4 accidents in the last year. Legally, one was actually her fault and she was a party in the other 3. I've told her all 4 were avoidable if she had been paying attention and wasn't such a lousy driver. She, like many others, views her car as a semi-passive extension of her living room and once she is pointed in the right direction and has the stereo set where she wants it, goes brain dead until the car finds it's way to their destination.
I have no problems with 15-16 year old drivers, as long as they drive. Thats what they got the permit for, to control their vehicle on public streets. If they just want to be comfortable and listen to music, stay at home on the couch.
On a related subject, I read a wonderful story some years ago about Eoin Young, the motorsport writer, which I hope I can recall enough of to recount correctly. When he moved from New Zealand to England (initially to assist Bruce McLaren), he obviously had to take a British driving test. When he went for his test, he turned up in an Austin-Healey 3000 that had just finished a rally, and showed it. Young had it on loan for some reason. He proceeded to take the test in this Healey. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the examiner failed him...
Indeed not, though night driving, motorway driving, et al would probably be too much for the system.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hazell B
Here, yes. The average 17 to 20 year old is covered by the "it won't happen to me" safety blanket of youth and over confidence. I know, I was one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiero 5.7
Even though I'd been stuffed through a car windscreen and had two years of corrective surgery at the ages of 13 to 15, I still got a motorcycle from my boyfriend for my 17th birthday and off I went like a loon. Pretty soon I was straight on to an RD350 YPVS having passed my test. A month later I was on the Isle of Man watching people road race. Not smart, but I got away with it. Two of my school classmates did not. One of them took a car driver's face and some of her arm with him ....
Young men like to show off. They can't help it. Sometimes they need to be stopped with new laws as words, pictures and stories just don't sink in.
I would suggest that a 1 year, motorcycle only permit, would be mandatory for anyone under age 18 to get a full permit. Funny what having your arms, legs, and the rest of your body at risk to injury does for your vehicle operational skills and situational awareness. Ultimately, the ones that aren't up to it will weed themselves out the same way they did before seat belts and airbags.
maybe this kind of accident would never have happend
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4puojV5bh0E