Learning to Drive

[Protagoras]

I was interested to see this article.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clym5jvgdepo

Thinking back, I started driving lessons at 17, passed my test a few months later, and had my only car accident 7 years later (skidded on black ice going to work).

For me and my 17 year old friends. driving was a social life-line since we didn't live an urban environment and lacked public transport. We had fairly basic cars (Hillman Imp, Mini, Chevette etc).

I understand that the casualty rate among young drivers and passengers is too high, but is the proposed policy really fair on youngsters?

On the other hand, around here there's a group of 'boy racers' who race between their hangouts and are a nuisance - although they could easily be dealt with if there was a police presence.

[WTFH]

Where I grew up, for a period of 1 year after passing the test you had to display an "R" plate for "restricted". You were supposed to stay below 45mph, but it gave you the opportunity to experience motorway driving, etc.
If you were stopped for going over 45, then you got penalised, and if you were stopped (for any reason) but weren't displaying your R plates, then they were extended for another 6mths+.

I'm really surprised something like this hasn't been adopted, as it helped promote safety (accident statistics proved that), it also meant that if you were driving behind someone with R plates, you knew to give them a bit of leeway and not just stand on the horn if they didn't move off from the lights, or were going slower than you wanted to go.

[malvolio]

Where I grew up, for a period of 1 year after passing the test you had to display an "R" plate for "restricted". You were supposed to stay below 45mph, but it gave you the opportunity to experience motorway driving, etc.
If you were stopped for going over 45, then you got penalised, and if you were stopped (for any reason) but weren't displaying your R plates, then they were extended for another 6mths+.

I'm really surprised something like this hasn't been adopted, as it helped promote safety (accident statistics proved that), it also meant that if you were driving behind someone with R plates, you knew to give them a bit of leeway and not just stand on the horn if they didn't move off from the lights, or were going slower than you wanted to go.

45 on a motorway in the current traffic ineptitude would get you or someone else killed. My preferred alternative would be to be required to pass a motorbike test first; the survivors would then understand what driving, as opposed to driving a car, really means. But the 60 in a 30 moronic show-offs are not going away regardless. And have you seen how many police stops are catching drivers without a licence or are unaccompanied provisional holders?

[ladymuck]

I don't understand what the delay is meant to achieve? I suspect the delay is because of the omnishambles that is the test booking system and not for any safety reason.

Perhaps, the answer is that you can't book your theory test until you have completed a minimum number of hours driving, if the concern is that you can book the practical as soon as you've passed the theory. I also think that learners need to be taught how to drive on the motorway, which starts leaning towards a second stage test like the currently optional advanced driving test.

[Protagoras]

Motorway driving experience could be a challenge. For someone in Birmingham or Manchester, it’s probably easy to get experience. But for people in locations where there are few motorways it would be tricky. Around here the nearest motorway has so many 40mph limits owing to roadworks and is so congested that it wouldn’t be possible to get real motorway driving experience.

[sadkingbilly]

Motorway driving experience could be a challenge. Around here the nearest motorway has so many 40mph limits owing to roadworks and is so congested that it wouldn’t be possible to get real motorway driving experience.

that IS real Mway experience. - look at M25, M74 etc

[WTFH]

Did you read that drivers over 70 are going to have to have mandatory eye tests as well. I think that's a good idea.

[ladymuck]

Did you read that drivers over 70 are going to have to have mandatory eye tests as well. I think that's a good idea.

Fortunately, my distance vision is perfect

[SueEllen]

Fortunately, my distance vision is perfect

[NotAllThere]

Where I live, motorways are allowed for learners and may feature in the test. Alcohol levels for new drivers are essentially 0. If you screw up during the probationary period, you'll have to redo your test.

The worst drivers are those who've learned elsewhere and just switch their licence over for a Swiss one.