'Show-off' teenage drivers targeted... (BBC News)
Discussion
"Teenage motorists may face limits on the numbers of passengers they can carry, as ministers seek ideas to cut accident figures among newly qualified drivers. "
"The Automobile Association (AA) says research suggests both young men and women are more likely to drive badly if they are carrying young male passengers. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1748000/1748919.stm
"We need to make younger drivers drive like older drivers." - AA Spokesman.
Does he really mean exactly that ??? I think the only way you can drive like a 30 yr old is to be a 30yr old... It's a question of temperament really, isn't it.
Oh well - silver lining time:
"The government is publishing a consultation document, called Introducing a More Structured Approach to Learning to Drive, in the next few weeks. "
This is good news for us because I know this has been talked about elsewhere on the 'board and consultations are now accessible and open for contributions via www.open.gov.uk
It would be the first motoring related consultation to be on there...
>>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 8th January 15:51
"The Automobile Association (AA) says research suggests both young men and women are more likely to drive badly if they are carrying young male passengers. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1748000/1748919.stm
"We need to make younger drivers drive like older drivers." - AA Spokesman.
Does he really mean exactly that ??? I think the only way you can drive like a 30 yr old is to be a 30yr old... It's a question of temperament really, isn't it.
Oh well - silver lining time:
"The government is publishing a consultation document, called Introducing a More Structured Approach to Learning to Drive, in the next few weeks. "
This is good news for us because I know this has been talked about elsewhere on the 'board and consultations are now accessible and open for contributions via www.open.gov.uk
It would be the first motoring related consultation to be on there...
>>> Edited by CarZee on Tuesday 8th January 15:51
[humble]
Yes, well, they have to do something I suppose. I don't have any better ideas myself, it's just how do you enforce such laws? There is also a law is there not that you have to have a qualified driver of x years when you have 'L' plates on, how many times are these guys stopped and checked?
I think a better way may be to improve the driving test you know actually teach these guys how to drive rather than how to pass the test. There has been a nod in this direction with the new improved test but does it go far enough, is it hard enough? I don't know.
So all-in-all
for them trying to do something about it 
for the way they are going about it.
[/humble]
P.S. Guess the Police will love this one eh?
"How long have you been driving sir?
How many passengers sir?
Come on you in the back get out from between the seats"
Oh and something else just struck me, no new drivers driving people carriers - maybe it's not so bad!
Yes, well, they have to do something I suppose. I don't have any better ideas myself, it's just how do you enforce such laws? There is also a law is there not that you have to have a qualified driver of x years when you have 'L' plates on, how many times are these guys stopped and checked?
I think a better way may be to improve the driving test you know actually teach these guys how to drive rather than how to pass the test. There has been a nod in this direction with the new improved test but does it go far enough, is it hard enough? I don't know.
So all-in-all
for them trying to do something about it for the way they are going about it. [/humble]
P.S. Guess the Police will love this one eh?
"How long have you been driving sir?
How many passengers sir?
Come on you in the back get out from between the seats"
Oh and something else just struck me, no new drivers driving people carriers - maybe it's not so bad!
"Allowing 17-year-olds to apply for a licence but not to take their test for another year to give time for more experience alongside another driver.
Log books to ensure each novice driver has been trained on various aspects of driving.
Probationary plates, which could be tied to engine size and/or other key aspects of road use."
From the bbc's coverage. Good ideas all in my opinion if they could be enforced.
The idea of limiting the number of passengers is pointless and I, for one, would not have wanted to spend years more acting as a free taxi service for my teenage children both of whom could drive before they were 17 and received professional training after they had passed their tests. One (very cheap) approach I would like to see implemented would be a mandatory waiting period for any driver who fails 3 tests of, say, 3 months to allow them to gain more experience. I find underconfident drivers every bit as worrying as cocky youths who have just passed their test first time.
Yours, Jon Dokic
Log books to ensure each novice driver has been trained on various aspects of driving.
Probationary plates, which could be tied to engine size and/or other key aspects of road use."
From the bbc's coverage. Good ideas all in my opinion if they could be enforced.
The idea of limiting the number of passengers is pointless and I, for one, would not have wanted to spend years more acting as a free taxi service for my teenage children both of whom could drive before they were 17 and received professional training after they had passed their tests. One (very cheap) approach I would like to see implemented would be a mandatory waiting period for any driver who fails 3 tests of, say, 3 months to allow them to gain more experience. I find underconfident drivers every bit as worrying as cocky youths who have just passed their test first time.
Yours, Jon Dokic
It's been well proven in the USA. Many states have laws limiting the number of passengers carried by teenage drivers and imposing curfews.
It's a good idea.
I know I was egged on by passengers or felt the need to drive like a knob when I had my mates in the car when younger. (Perhaps I still do now, so it's a good job I've got a two seater
)
It's a good idea.
I know I was egged on by passengers or felt the need to drive like a knob when I had my mates in the car when younger. (Perhaps I still do now, so it's a good job I've got a two seater
)Now then, if you had to have held a license for 80 years bfore you could drive a People Carrier...
That would work..
More seriously though, in Italy where they have a restriction on Power/Weight ratios depending on how long you've had a license, there's a market for 45/55hp cars such as Puntos which have otherwise peculiar specs such as 6-speed 'boxes.
If they restricted number of passengers to be carried, a market would surely develop for "1st car" 2-seaters. Or novas with the back seats ripped out.. not sure which..
I'll plug that stream of consciousness now..
That would work..
More seriously though, in Italy where they have a restriction on Power/Weight ratios depending on how long you've had a license, there's a market for 45/55hp cars such as Puntos which have otherwise peculiar specs such as 6-speed 'boxes.
If they restricted number of passengers to be carried, a market would surely develop for "1st car" 2-seaters. Or novas with the back seats ripped out.. not sure which..
I'll plug that stream of consciousness now..
If there's an issue with the difference in visibility, I suggest that whoever has that problem needs new glasses.. 
Personally i think the test should be harder. it was a piece of cake, drive sensibly for thirty minutes and away we go, plus it should be retaken every five years. Maybe we really need drivers ed like in the states.......and people called wayne, darren and trevor just shouldnt be given the right to drive iun the first place!
"If I'm not looking out of the rear window, I think I can save it"
"If I'm not looking out of the rear window, I think I can save it"
quote:
"Allowing 17-year-olds to apply for a licence but not to take their test for another year to give time for more experience alongside another driver.
Log books to ensure each novice driver has been trained on various aspects of driving.
Maybe like pilots, you have to keep a log of hours spent driving, and you can't pass your test until you have logged 100 hours... although the certification might be harder - 'my mate did 40 hours with me...'
Ok, here is my view:- (My young/novice view)
I am in the 17-19 band! (I'm 19, passed my test 11 months ago, and so am still in my 2 probationary period)
The firgures in the report don't show how many drivers there are on the road in these categories! I know of only 4 people (in the same age band) who have been involved in a driving incident! I am one of those 4 and I was on my own on all 3 occasions! In fact, only one of the 4 people was with someone else!
In my opinion, MY driving test was an utter farce!
Waste of my time and £65 of my hard earned money!
I won't go into any great detail, but, in the Test you are supposed to drive on the following roads
Dual Carriageway
Town Roads
NSL roads (Single Carriageway)
For my entire 45 minute test, I didn't leave the town! I didn't venture out onto a NSL road let alone a Dual Carriageway!
I did an emergency stop, a 3 point turn and a reverse park! There are guidelines set for tests for good reasons, to make sure every driver is capable of the minimum! The woman I had didn't even check the basics!! I have since done my Pass Plus and have learnt alot more!
I'm not being big headed but I do consider myself to be a competant driver, I have never had a crash, I've never had any hairy moments and, touch wood, I hope it will be a long time before I do! I don't speed in towns, passed schools etc! I have had a couple of spins
, and the car slipped into a ditch once, but it was standing still on a grass verge and the ground gave way, not alot I could do about that!
But I am not naive, I still have a hell of a lot to learn!
A hell of a lot!! I know the limits of my car and have ventured beyond them, but I stay inside my own limits in terms of car control! I have exceeded them twice, but we learn by our mistakes!(That was not an attempt to justify the spins)
Instead of these Jumped up little politicians sitting in there little offices saying "What can we throw at young drivers now?" they should be saying "What can we do to improve there training"
In my opinion, Skid Training should be compulsary. Drivers should go through these courses as part of there learning tuition! There should also be a Night time driving secion to the system! As it stands Learner Driver Tuition is pathetic! The ADI's only want the money! They string you along for as long as possible so as to get enough money, then they eventually tell you to book your test!
And now the bloody politicians want to limit the number of passengers in the car! I don't see how it would make a difference!
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
Sorry that was sooo long, but it was my 2p's worth
Cheers
Stuart
I am in the 17-19 band! (I'm 19, passed my test 11 months ago, and so am still in my 2 probationary period)
The firgures in the report don't show how many drivers there are on the road in these categories! I know of only 4 people (in the same age band) who have been involved in a driving incident! I am one of those 4 and I was on my own on all 3 occasions! In fact, only one of the 4 people was with someone else!
In my opinion, MY driving test was an utter farce!
Waste of my time and £65 of my hard earned money! I won't go into any great detail, but, in the Test you are supposed to drive on the following roads
Dual Carriageway
Town Roads
NSL roads (Single Carriageway)
For my entire 45 minute test, I didn't leave the town! I didn't venture out onto a NSL road let alone a Dual Carriageway!
I did an emergency stop, a 3 point turn and a reverse park! There are guidelines set for tests for good reasons, to make sure every driver is capable of the minimum! The woman I had didn't even check the basics!! I have since done my Pass Plus and have learnt alot more!
I'm not being big headed but I do consider myself to be a competant driver, I have never had a crash, I've never had any hairy moments and, touch wood, I hope it will be a long time before I do! I don't speed in towns, passed schools etc! I have had a couple of spins, and the car slipped into a ditch once, but it was standing still on a grass verge and the ground gave way, not alot I could do about that! But I am not naive, I still have a hell of a lot to learn! A hell of a lot!! I know the limits of my car and have ventured beyond them, but I stay inside my own limits in terms of car control! I have exceeded them twice, but we learn by our mistakes!(That was not an attempt to justify the spins) Instead of these Jumped up little politicians sitting in there little offices saying "What can we throw at young drivers now?" they should be saying "What can we do to improve there training"
In my opinion, Skid Training should be compulsary. Drivers should go through these courses as part of there learning tuition! There should also be a Night time driving secion to the system! As it stands Learner Driver Tuition is pathetic! The ADI's only want the money! They string you along for as long as possible so as to get enough money, then they eventually tell you to book your test!
And now the bloody politicians want to limit the number of passengers in the car! I don't see how it would make a difference!
AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
Sorry that was sooo long, but it was my 2p's worth
Cheers
Stuart
quote:
I know I was egged on by passengers or felt the need to drive like a knob when I had my mates in the car when younger. (Perhaps I still do now, so it's a good job I've got a two seater
Thats the truth Ted and i think any one here who is honest will put their hands up and admit to it also
tvraddict Stuart
well said, you've put it in a nutshell. One is tought to pass the test and NOT tought how to drive, all extra driver training should be compulsary and thus reduce ridiculous insurance premiums.
BUT one thing that the gov has right is that juniors are a risk, I was one of those over-exiteable youngsters who thought he could do anything and smashed a couple of cars. It can get painful in pocket and otherwise and I wised up fast. then was also a military driving instructor who threw the book out of the window. I take pride in the fact that my chaps were better than the average because i tought them to drive not tought them to pass the test..... But at well past the 1/2 century I still drive fast and can still learn!
(sorry spellings getting bad, poor european influence!)
Edited by JMGS4 on Wednesday 9th January 08:08
well said, you've put it in a nutshell. One is tought to pass the test and NOT tought how to drive, all extra driver training should be compulsary and thus reduce ridiculous insurance premiums.
BUT one thing that the gov has right is that juniors are a risk, I was one of those over-exiteable youngsters who thought he could do anything and smashed a couple of cars. It can get painful in pocket and otherwise and I wised up fast. then was also a military driving instructor who threw the book out of the window. I take pride in the fact that my chaps were better than the average because i tought them to drive not tought them to pass the test..... But at well past the 1/2 century I still drive fast and can still learn!
(sorry spellings getting bad, poor european influence!)
Edited by JMGS4 on Wednesday 9th January 08:08
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