Safe Speed Forums

I've started my RoSPA course and it's going well, but would it be so hard to teach us to drive like this from the start or do we need the back ground of driving like they teach us when we are learning?

My instructor says he much prefers teaching younger people because they are more reseptive to learning, so why not take advantage of this and teach poeple to drive properly instead of just to pass a test.

I imagine there are problems in training enough instructors and the higher cost. But would the higher cost not be offset by lower insurance claims?

When I was learning to drive, I remember being very nervous when I was allowed on the road on my own, but surely with better knowledge and skills I would have been more confident.

I've always believed that learners have quite enough to cope with, and that higher level driver training must come later (once basic stuff has been transferred to the lizard brain, I suppose).

Can anyone suggest an alternative view?

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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

I agree with Paul on this.

You nead to learn the basics, then get some experience then learn some more.

Trouble is all most learn after passing their test are bad habits. Which is why I think some kind of compulsory follow up training/test would be a good idea.

I taught my kids how to drive in the "real" world and then sent them to a driving school to learn how to get their licence. It was both cheaper and more effective that doing it all at the driving school as they are now more confident and courteous drivers than those who have only learned how to get their licence.

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Ross

Yes I'm a hoon, but only on the track!!!!

I believe the answer must be, as Paul and Homer says, to allow the basics to distill in the mind of the newly passed driver.....

Then have him/her display a 'new driver' plate or badge for a period of 2-3 years during which time he should be encouraged to concentrate on courteous driving within the OAP or COAST framework, taught using a series of compulsory night classes or similar, at the end of which a further test needs to be passed where these developed skills need to be displayed. Failure simply requires the continuation of the wearing of the 'new driver' badge, the continuation of training, and a higher insurance premium.

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

Ian

What skills are really classed as basics though? The test I sat (only 5 years ago) didn't include roundabouts, traffic lights or dual carrigways let alone multi-junctioned, sliproaded, flyovered 6 lane motorways. Likewise some people i know passed in town and never drove on 1.5 lane roads with hairpin off-camber corners. Really the current test needs to be updated and made more to include at least the requirement to have driven on all classes of road.

M3's comment also has a good point. Learn to drive or learn to pass? I think I was about 50/50 as I had a good instructor but all the real good tips that have saved myself and my wallet came from my dad and uncle who taught me to drive, like he said, in the "real" world.

To be honest the test couldn't cover those tips and there's no reason for them to be but they should, without a doubt be included in the "curriculum" when learning. From experience I know that people wont remember these things but they will sink in and the mind will remeber them when it really needs to.

Hope my first post is worthwhile, nice site

Depends on the driver as well. How long does It take to get Experience? 6 months? 6 Years? A Lifetime?

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RoADA Member -GOLD 2008
If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.

I would like to see the "Pass Plus" course (or something similar) made compulsory for new drivers.

I don't support making the basic L-test more difficult, but it's important to instill sensible attitudes at an early stage.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Possibly only the older drivers will agree with this - remember the old days- no/very few driving schools. Father taught son/daughter to drive - he also taught roadcraft / how to pass the test and a lot of other things he had picked up in the years he had been driving . He also had to relearn how to drive. Once juniour had passed test - the teaching continued.

Today - kid goes to driving school, taught to pass test , no follow up unless trafplod decides to take kid to one side and give lecture - but hey ---"where have all the traffplods gone" ---safety experts said we dont need them -every one .

point is firstly years of driving expertise is being lost , secondly, kid makes stupid mistsake , no traffic plod to pull kid up, realise kid lacks experience -needs education and strong lecture .
double loss to road safety