Sorry to bring you all down.

[AuburnWarrior]

Being able to pass a test doesn't make you a good driver... I've spent 40+ years honing my driving 'skills'... Would consider it a bit of an insult to be re-assessed because others can't cap their adrenaline rushes...

But you'll have developed bad habits over those years. We all have even if we think we haven't.

HGV drivers have to re-sit their test every three years (I believe...) plus they have to be in good health to keep driving. This is how it should be.
I could get a salesman's job on Monday that requires me to drive in excess of 100,000 miles a year. I wouldn't be required to re-sit my test or have any health checks. Why?

I re-iterate - cars are killing machines regardless of who's driving them and, as such, they should be treated with the utmost of respect. The requirement to drive one should be exacting and stringent.

 

[MegaSteve]

the quality of driving is far higher and more considerate than the much busier South of England.

Being polite.... Total and utter spherical objects...

 

[RGDave]

Heard similiar before and its always from driving instructors... So it always seems to come accross as a business generation proposal rather than a road safety idea...

Being able to pass a test doesn't make you a good driver... I've spent 40+ years honing my driving 'skills'... Would consider it a bit of an insult to be re-assessed because others can't cap their adrenaline rushes...

Umm.

I think I'd be happy to go out on an assessment to renew my license. However, I could drive like an Angel, display "perfect" road sense and control of the car, get the paperwork and go out and be a nutter the next day.

 

[MegaSteve]

But you'll have developed bad habits over those years. We all have even if we think we haven't.

I suspect I have... I am not Peter Perfect... I have a brother who is a DI so I have a few lessons with him to re-learn whats needed to pass a test then go back to driving in the manner I was previously... Its 'worked' for 40+ years...

Same as the 'speeders'... Pass the test one day resume their 'habit' the next...

In the short term there is no easy cure... In the fullness of time I am sure all vehicles will be 'chipped' and monitored big brother style... Technology is already there... As it is if driving within the M25 your movements are being monitored... Just a change in law is required to allow the information gathered to be used in a court of law...

 

[RGDave]

But you'll have developed bad habits over those years. We all have even if we think we haven't.

I've often wondered about bad habits. Undoubtedly I'd fail my test tomorrow, but would it be on essentially dangerous majors/minors?

I'm fairly sure that in the real world, I've got to be 10 times safer than a new driver. I've got a quarter of a million miles experience.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Can you still pass your test without having any motorway experience?
Used to be the case. I thought that was crazy
Pass your test one day, hit the motorway for the first time next day.

 

[RGDave]

Can you still pass your test without having any motorway experience?
Used to be the case. I thought that was crazy
Pass your test one day, hit the motorway for the first time next day.

Oh, I'm glad you mentioned that.

I was down in Hampshire and met a nice young lady on a business course (over the weekend). It turned out she lived in SW London and I offered her a lift home. She wanted to go on the M3 motorway, and I'd never been on one!
I decided to 'fess up and admit to this fact. She took my hand and said "don't worry Dave, God will protect us"......

 

[JustOne]

Sad, stupid, sad. What a waste.

Waste? sorry but I don't think so... one more lunatic off the road (feel more sympathy for his passenger, although he shouldn't have let his mate drive like that).


Two of my wifes friends went off a road (speeding) and hit a tree before ending up in the edge of a field in the undergrowth, weren't found for 3 days after both apparently survived the crash. I have NO sympthy for speeders, none whatsoever.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Yes it is sad, stupid and a waste of young lives

But if you drive like that, someone is going to get hurt
and a sticking plaster wont fix it.

unfortunately despite these stories happening on a regular basis, people think they are immune
"its not going to happen to me"

One day all cars will be chipped with speed limiters in the roads, then this sort of thing wont happen

Fragger

 

[RGDave]

Waste? sorry but I don't think so... one more lunatic off the road (feel more sympathy for his passenger, although he shouldn't have let his mate drive like that).
I have NO sympthy for speeders, none whatsoever.

This is my normal kind of attitude, I must admit.

 

[Golfmmad]

Somebody earlier mentioned "Average Speed Cameras" which I think is the way forward for these dangerous roads.

They really do slow the traffic down.

Take the road improvements on the A23 in Sussex. There are average speed cameras in operation for about 2/3 miles, it's a 40 mph limit - and EVERYBODY adheres to the limit.

Makes sense to me.