Safe Speed Forums

Whoa there! What attitude is that you are referring to? Don't dare insinuate that I don't care about road safety because I disagree with you!
All I am doing is pointing out that we can all say "what if" and then invent some horrendous scene of carnage to justify the 'speed kills' mantra. Without an adequate frame of reference, including the site of the camera, time of day, weather conditions etc we are all just guessing as to whether or not jedimafia's overtake was safe.

Edited for speeling !

I agree with you, but I think you missed the point I was making.

* Real risks are important.
* Potential risks are important (and we use imagination to predict and assess them).
* but wholly imaginary risks are just a distraction to be minimised.

Good anticipation is very helpful in separating the potential risks from the wholly imaginary risks.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Couple of issues regarding jedimafia's post.

I believe that it does take time and experience to assess and enhance your driving skills.

I also fear that youthful exuberance and belief that they are surrounded by a cushion of invincibility is the cause of our dreadful boy racer fatality stats. (we've got four dead in 2 out of 3 fatacs in South Cumbria this week alone - the other was a biker).

Overtaking is a common cause of these boy racer accidents.

Now I'm making no specific judgement about jedimafia's driving skills, but I do agree in the general principle of making the new driver think about how easy it could be to lose your licence, to encourage law compliance. What concerns me a bit is that jedimafia was not aware of this rule. it must be made absolutely clear to all new drivers for it to have any impact.

Most peoples concept of 'overtaking' is a single carriageway manoeuvre - 60mph limit. 91 would therefore be 31mph over the limit. This would be a potential ban situation for any of us, especially with three points already on the licence. If this is the case, I would suggest a short ban might be an option. Having said that you wouldn't be asked to submit your licence in the first instance. (Maybe I've missed somewhere that it was a 70mph D/C overtake )

Couple of questions for Jedimafia

Where precisely were you caught speeding?
Do you appreciate the purpose of this change in licence rules given that new drivers are much more likely to be involved in fatal RTCs.
Do you feel that you take risks in your driving?
What do you think could be done to make young/new drivers safer?

(I'm making a huge assumption that you are young, perhaps under 21.)

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Fixed ideas are like cramp, for instance in the foot, yet the best remedy is to step on them.

Ian

Ooops! But I would also have zapped you for an overtake at 91mph. My guys might have subjected you to my special lecture .. but whether or not our guys would have issued a ticket would depend on their discretion.

You should really check out their web sites before you set out. I do - and I am old Class 1 from the "good old days!" I also use a "useful gadget if I intend to drive through LanCASH£re or Brunstromia.



You would revert to provisional status if they revoke your licence. So - provided you can get a qualified driver (ie 4 years? experience and over 21) to sit with you - you can at least drive to and from work. You would have to take both parts of your driving test again - and I would suggest you book these as soon as your licence is revoked in order to get yourself legally mobile again as soon as possible. I would also book a block of 6 lessons (as you would benefit from "free" lesson or "discount" to give yourself best chance of a pass.

Unfortunately, once you pass your retest - I think your licence will still carry the 6 points for the duration. So - be careful and check locations on our web sites before you set off. In Durham - we list about 20 sites where we lark around with mobile scams. Ian's patch (and others) list mobile timetables and locations of fixed scams as well.



As for inusrance - shop around. In this age of scams - 3/6 points on a driving licence is not as unusual as it was - and one of two insurance companies take account of this.

However, they may well load for a 91 mph blast in a 70 mph DC - but best thing you can do is shop around for the best deal.

This is also our main headache mate....

Of course it takes time. One of the lines we find goes down well with our young hoons is asking them about their footballing heroes and the need for constant training. Sometimes by relating the message to something they can relate to - helps get the message across. aslo find it keeps things on a friendly note (told you - am quite cuddly really )



I also find that worrying. The theory test is supposed to include this on the bank of questions as well. But the questions are random set from the bank of questions. Quite possible to answer that one incorrectly and still pass.

France has a three year probation. I believe Germany also plans to extend to three years as well. I also agree that new drivers should be on probation- as we are for any profession.