This topic is bound to divide opinion.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/17093564


What do you think ?

Personally, I'd like to see the introduction of a multi tier licence, firstly so people can get out on the roads and gain valuable experience, then a second tier to allow people to drive in darkness/adverse weather/motorways and a third tier to allow people to drive more powerful cars. Clearly, adverse weather is a tricky one...... you might set out in good weather etc etc.

I've recently been getting some instruction in the art of 'driver instruction', mainly to help my daughter get ready for her test (she isn't a natural driver, but she is learning and improving - practice practice practice...) , rather than looking at a career change! And when you do this properly, it's quite an eye opener and certainly lets you appreciate the fears and apprehensions a learner drive has to contend with. This is without impatient, bad and at times dangerous driving by some who seam to think they are 'good drivers' (even after I had him landed with a section 59.. in-car video is a great driver aid...)
I can't see putting a learner on the motorway is going to do anything to their confidence, other than destroy it in an instant. My view is you need to be able to drive a car without thinking about it before even considering the motorway.

But that's just my view, what do you think ?

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Not sure what my opinion is on this yet, although my first thought is:

Why would learner drivers be any more dangerous on the motorway than on a non-motorway dual-carriageway?

In many ways, the motorway is safer - wider lanes, hard shoulder, etc. That works both ways though, you could make the argument that people can be given experience of multi-lane NSL dual-carriageways under the law as it stands.

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I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

Further to this, and since you were fishing for a rant, I'd like to propose that at the start of every driving test, the learner should be asked to explain what a dual-carriageway is, and immediately failed if they make any comment about number of lanes.

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

Not at all, this place is full of experienced road users, seeking an opinion among peers is the cornerstone of a balanced view. duibhceK has pointed out some things I did not consider, however road manners on the mainland roads are far more acceptable than those in the UK, so this needs consideration also.



,,,,, there is a question in the theory test concerning 'dual carriageway' definition.

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>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Yet I would bet there are people on this forum, old and young, who would get it wrong.


(I'm not seriously suggesting that this is the most serious flaw in the current driving test system by the way )

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

Yup. Agreed.

__________________
>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

I'm all for tiered licences. In Belgium already learner drivers are not allowed to drive during the night and weekends. I certainly wouldn't mind that be continued for some time even after they get their license.
Same for more powerful cars. At the moment there's only a rule that under 21 can't ride a +25kW motorcycle. I would applaud if that rule be expanded to anyone's first year(s) of riding after getting their license. And expand it to cars as well. It is utterly silly that an 20-year old cannot ride a +25kW motorcycle but can without any problems get into a Ferrari and go street racing.

I don't really agree with you about the motorways. It is perfectly legal for learner drivers to ride motorways in Belgium and it does not cause any problems. In my experience, having taught 2 people to drive motorways are probably one of the easier roads to drive on. The speed may be higher, but there's a lot less things to keep rack of. No oncoming traffic, no traffic lights, no intersections, no cyclists or pedestrians, ... My experience is that learner drivers find driving in the city a lot more stressful and difficult.

This drives me nuts Grrrrrrrrr........

Not to mention the stupid feckers that look you in the eye before pulling out on you, wouldn't mind but a Tenere with a noisy can is not the hardest thing to spot on the road.

If the police are strapped for cash why don't they send unmarked bikes out? They'd rake the cash in with all the numpties out there.

had a funny one in front of me this morning. Fancy-ass lease Volvo S60 company car changes lanes 4 times in front of me without indicating. But when we are off the motorway on a single lane road that has a bend he suddenly feels the need to use the indicator.

Maybe he was afraid I wouldn't see where the road was going or something

more scary is when you see a vehicle on blues and twos and it has to sit behind a car in lane three for 30 seconds or more while the dumb driver chats away on their hands free kit in their own little world.

another great one to look out for is a car or van that sits tailgating a truck, when you go past just take one look they will have a phone to the ear and they honestly think they are covert ????

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Ride On :tenere:Camel 2008XT660Z
harvey mushman did it in the dirt Uma 1994 TT250R