FabSwingers.com forum: Driving you mad

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Oooohhhh a thread about driving. This never gets out of hand

The government wants to raise the learner age to 19 then have a year as a probationary driver.

My view on this is yes, feel free to make it harder for young drivers to get a license. As long as you make it more difficult for the elderly to keep theirs with compulsory testing when you get to say 70.

Feel free to accuse me of ageism but there's plenty at the top end of the tree that shouldn't be anywhere near the wheel now.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Totally agree. The worst drivers on the road are the young and the old. I would go as far as to say that young drivers cannot drive cars over 1 litre engine size.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I was in Mew Zealand, while ago now, not sure if it's still the same. 15 was the car driving age

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

A better way would be to ensure the driving test was better, perhaps several tests with night time, atrocious weather and motorway driving included. It's not purely a question of age but of driving ability.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Oooohhhh a thread about driving. This never gets out of hand

The government wants to raise the learner age to 19 then have a year as a probationary driver.

Feel free to accuse me of ageism but there's plenty at the top end of the tree that shouldn't be anywhere near the wheel now.

I completely agree. As you know I'm a bit of a driving/car enthusiast and it astounds me the state of some elderly people's driving. Their observational skills deteriorate along with their ability to judge speed and road conditions, not to mention the obvious physical affects of aging that can affect their abilities behind the wheel. I'd introduce an annual assessment/retest for the over 70's.

As for young drivers, well its tough. Driving from 17 is fine, many of us have been doing it for years without issue but there's a lot of things that I feel should be covered on the test (basic abilities to check/top up fluid, change bulbs and change a tyre), night driving lessons and mandatory motorway lessons. Many young people are demonized when it comes to driving, they buy a car for £300 and are expected to pay several thousand pounds for insurance. This only makes things harder for them to get jobs etc. The 1 year probation period is a fairly good idea though...

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By *hole Lotta RosieWoman
over a year ago

Deviant City

Older drivers of over 70s I completely agree that something needs sorting, like a re-test.

I agree with a probabtion for the younger drivers, but a curfew would be no good if they work nights. Not sure I agree with the lifts to anyone under 30 either. How would they police this? Constantly pull people over for checks?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I agree in some respects except my Mother only learnt to drive and passed her test 8 years ago. We were and still are very proud of her and she's 71

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By *hole Lotta RosieWoman
over a year ago

Deviant City

"A better way would be to ensure the driving test was better, perhaps several tests with night time, atrocious weather and motorway driving included. It's not purely a question of age but of driving ability. "

definitely

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Totally agree. The worst drivers on the road are the young and the old. I would go as far as to say that young drivers cannot drive cars over 1 litre engine size."

Totally agree, and the Learners should reach a basic standard on private roads before being allowed on the public highway

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By *U1966Man
over a year ago

Devon

No one under 21 should be able to drive anything bigger than a one litre so doesnt matter how much money your parents have all youngsters in the same position

Similar rules for the over 70 s would be a good idea aswell

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Totally agree. The worst drivers on the road are the young and the old. I would go as far as to say that young drivers cannot drive cars over 1 litre engine size."

That already kind of happens in a round about way. They're often restricted by the insurance companies either pricing the policy waaay out of their reach or refusing to cover them altogether.

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

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By *yrdwomanWoman
over a year ago

Putting the 'cum' in Eboracum

It seems a bit mean giving young drivers a licence then not letting them learn. As learners can't go on motorways, the only way to learn to drive on them is to go after you've passed, and IMO people keep learning (sometimes they never do!)

Make lessons better. A wanker will be a wanky driver no matter how old they are.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"It seems a bit mean giving young drivers a licence then not letting them learn. As learners can't go on motorways, the only way to learn to drive on them is to go after you've passed, and IMO people keep learning (sometimes they never do!)

Make lessons better. A wanker will be a wanky driver no matter how old they are."

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We all get in bad habits and forget the rules.. maybe retesting for everyone every x amount of time would be better

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

to be honest i agree with a lot of the points raised, however i am more concerned with a few issues.

people driving wearing anything that covers or restricts their vision like hoodies and Muslim head scarfs they bloody dangerous. before i get accursed of being a racist i also mentioned hoodies and anything that restricts your view.

and the second point is about uninsured drivers on the road.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"We all get in bad habits and forget the rules.. maybe retesting for everyone every x amount of time would be better"

not me im a brilliant driver

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"to be honest i agree with a lot of the points raised, however i am more concerned with a few issues.

and the second point is about uninsured drivers on the road."

I'd agree with the part about the head scarves. I saw it a lot when I drove in certain areas of Leicester. It's especially bad when they also wear sunglasses. It radically reduces their peripheral vision, especially when approaching roundabouts and junctions. Sadly banning this would be viewed as racist rather than a safety measure....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

my dad is over 70 almost Reversed over me Twice last week. i hold my breath even when he is parking. but in general iaam a bad Back seat Driver. only trust Myself.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't think the age should be higher but definitely more stringent testing and compulsory recorder boxes that some insurance companies offer.

I do definitely think at say 60 you should have to retake your test, my Mum is 73 and her driving scares me to death!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Maybe a yearly medical, including an eye test from the age of 50 onwards would be a good idea. Not only would it be good for more mature drivers it would be good for peoples health in general! If you miss the exam your licence gets suspended until you attend it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"to be honest i agree with a lot of the points raised, however i am more concerned with a few issues.

and the second point is about uninsured drivers on the road.

i drove to the shops yesterday and i saw them both and the bloke in the hoodie couldn't see over his dash as he was so low in his seat and he was hanging so far to the right hand side he was riding side saddle.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Maybe a yearly medical, including an eye test from the age of 50 onwards would be a good idea. Not only would it be good for more mature drivers it would be good for peoples health in general! If you miss the exam your licence gets suspended until you attend it."

I know plenty of over 50's who do not declare to the DVLA health problems that could affect their driving ability so I am all for a medical to check you have the capacity to actually get behind the wheel!

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I'd like to expand what I said about re tests. Im pretty sure that most people would fail a driving test if they were given one now, so that would be a huge waste of money. Rather they should just have to take the hazard perception part of the theory, and then a check drive.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I'd like to expand what I said about re tests. Im pretty sure that most people would fail a driving test if they were given one now, so that would be a huge waste of money. Rather they should just have to take the hazard perception part of the theory, and then a check drive. "

Maybe a better solution but wouldn't you rather see those people who are obviously dangerous off the roads altogether? Many of us pick up what's considered bad driving habits (driving with one hand on the wheel or not checking mirrors frequently), but on the most part that doesn't make people bad drivers. The retest should be adapted for those of us who've been driving for a long time and just focus on the core principals of driving to a good standard of car control and observation/hazard awareness...

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't think the age should be higher but definitely more stringent testing and compulsory recorder boxes that some insurance companies offer.

I do definitely think at say 60 you should have to retake your test, my Mum is 73 and her driving scares me to death!

Spot on

yes I think insurance companies insisting young drivers are monitored is an option.

I think by far the more worrying drivers are the elderly. I drive quite a bit with work and see some sights that make your heart skip a beat sometimes.

My favourite manoeuvre are the drivers (usually elderly) who come to join a dual carriage and pull up to the junction and stop. Then attempt to drive into traffic doing anything from

60-100 from a standing start at a snails pace.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't think the age should be higher but definitely more stringent testing and compulsory recorder boxes that some insurance companies offer.

I do definitely think at say 60 you should have to retake your test, my Mum is 73 and her driving scares me to death!

Spot on

yes I think insurance companies insisting young drivers are monitored is an option.

I think by far the more worrying drivers are the elderly. I drive quite a bit with work and see some sights that make your heart skip a beat sometimes.

My favourite manoeuvre are the drivers (usually elderly) who come to join a dual carriage and pull up to the junction and stop. Then attempt to drive into traffic doing anything from

60-100 from a standing start at a snails pace. "

Often without checking their mirrors or looking over their right shoulder!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't think the age should be higher but definitely more stringent testing and compulsory recorder boxes that some insurance companies offer.

I do definitely think at say 60 you should have to retake your test, my Mum is 73 and her driving scares me to death!

Spot on

yes I think insurance companies insisting young drivers are monitored is an option.

I think by far the more worrying drivers are the elderly. I drive quite a bit with work and see some sights that make your heart skip a beat sometimes.

My favourite manoeuvre are the drivers (usually elderly) who come to join a dual carriage and pull up to the junction and stop. Then attempt to drive into traffic doing anything from

60-100 from a standing start at a snails pace.

Often without checking their mirrors or looking over their right shoulder!"

And playing chicken bobbing and a weaving in between the lorries

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I don't drive but my mother does, she is 83 and a good driver, I will happily go in the car with her. My father-in-law is also elderly and has Parkinson's, I don't think he should be driving as he is now permanently bent double but he has approached the gp about still driving, he refers him to DVLA, who refer him back to gp. I'm a lollipop lady and see all kinds of drivers, school taxis and school run parents and cyclists are the worst. Parents have their seatbelts on but fail to make sure their kids are buckled up. I dread seeing a accident one day involving kids.

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By *teveanddebsCouple
over a year ago

Norwich

Retests for everyone every 5 years would be good. Maybe with that extended to 10 years for those with advanced driving qualifications ie IAM and ROSPA, not Tufty Club members

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I don't think a retest for everyone is feasible, necessary or in any way affordable.

Part of the problem is that even if you take someone's license off them it doesn't stop them from driving anyway.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I don't think a retest for everyone is feasible, necessary or in any way affordable.

Part of the problem is that even if you take someone's license off them it doesn't stop them from driving anyway. "

Then the penalties for driving without a licence or while being unfit through illness/advanced age/idiocy should be far stricter than they are now. Let's face it, penalty points and extended bans don't mean anything to someone who drives without a licence, insurance, MOT cert or tax anyway. The law is no deterrent for these people and it should be...

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By *irtydanMan
over a year ago

Blackpool

my dads 79 he drives i wouldnt go round the block with him

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Going to be Pedantic ....

But you will still be able to get your provisional licence at 17, but not able to take test before 18; and have logged 100 hours daylight driving and 20 hours night time.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know! "

Do we have to call u Sir Steve now and bow down?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Retests for everyone every 5 years would be good. Maybe with that extended to 10 years for those with advanced driving qualifications ie IAM and ROSPA, not Tufty Club members

wot about Lego club members - where do they fit?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

18 is the actual proposal. Still get a provisional at 17 but have do 100 hours.

I think a resit should be mandatory every 4 or 5 years for everyone. So many can't drive for shit.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Going to be Pedantic ....

But you will still be able to get your provisional licence at 17, but not able to take test before 18; and have logged 100 hours daylight driving and 20 hours night time.

I still think there should be more emphasis on night time and bad weather driving as that's when most inexperienced drivers get caught out.

I also think ludicrous stereo system should be banned too! Does anyone, especially a hormonal teenager, need 2000watts of drum n bass (or whatever kids listen to nowadays) blaring out of their windows while they're supposed to be piloting over a ton of death on the already dangerous road network?

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Do we have to call u Sir Steve now and bow down?

Nope....all you need to do is crouch down

But you can 'sir' me too, actually, thinking about it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Do we have to call u Sir Steve now and bow down?

Nope....all you need to do is crouch down

But you can 'sir' me too, actually, thinking about it. "

make your bloody mind up man!!!!!

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By *imply_SensualMan
over a year ago

warrington

There have been a few suggestions above about limited the engine capacity that new drivers are allowed to drive. This is currently used for people wanting motorbike licences, although its not engine capacity that is the factor, it is power, so a young upstart wanting to get a superbike is derailed right from the off because they are restricted until they are 21 (I think) to a low power output.

Why not do the same for new drivers of cars? The age side of things doesnt bother me, but experience does and I totally agree with the need to have people drive in all conditions and all times of the day.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Oooohhhh a thread about driving. This never gets out of hand

The government wants to raise the learner age to 19 then have a year as a probationary driver.

Feel free to accuse me of ageism but there's plenty at the top end of the tree that shouldn't be anywhere near the wheel now.

I would go further and make it compulsory for everyone to retest every 10 years and have photos taken there and then when people pass for driving licences it might make people think more about their driving.

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Do we have to call u Sir Steve now and bow down?

Nope....all you need to do is crouch down

But you can 'sir' me too, actually, thinking about it.

make your bloody mind up man!!!!!

It's called 'switch'. I know. I read it in a magazine at Hove train station.

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By *urvywelshCouple
over a year ago

Everywhere and nowhere baby

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know! "

Can I have your autograph?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Do we have to call u Sir Steve now and bow down?

Nope....all you need to do is crouch down

But you can 'sir' me too, actually, thinking about it.

make your bloody mind up man!!!!!

It's called 'switch'. I know. I read it in a magazine at Hove train station. "

go google switch and don't look at the pics lol

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Can I have your autograph?

Yes, and I don't need a pen.

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Do we have to call u Sir Steve now and bow down?

Nope....all you need to do is crouch down

But you can 'sir' me too, actually, thinking about it.

make your bloody mind up man!!!!!

It's called 'switch'. I know. I read it in a magazine at Hove train station.

go google switch and don't look at the pics lol

Jodie is gonna be so cross at you for coming in here and causing mayhem, and chaos and stuff on her car thread. The magazine was about trains and moving from one line to the other so I think they know what they're talking about, young missy!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Can I have your autograph?

don't encourage him ........... he will be even more incorrigible

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By *rightonsteveMan
over a year ago

Brighton - even Hove!

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Can I have your autograph?

don't encourage him ........... he will be even more incorrigible

It's too late...the "ink" is coming out.

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By *teveanddebsCouple
over a year ago

Norwich

"Retests for everyone every 5 years would be good. Maybe with that extended to 10 years for those with advanced driving qualifications ie IAM and ROSPA, not Tufty Club members

wot about Lego club members - where do they fit?

Just make sure you don't run over them at night, it's bloody painful

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"There have been a few suggestions above about limited the engine capacity that new drivers are allowed to drive. This is currently used for people wanting motorbike licences, although its not engine capacity that is the factor, it is power, so a young upstart wanting to get a superbike is derailed right from the off because they are restricted until they are 21 (I think) to a low power output.

In all fairness, and as I said previously, the insurance companies are doing a fairly reasonable job at this idea. But I get the point you're making and would vote in support of it.

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By *edangel_2013Woman
over a year ago

southend

Don't get me started on the CBT and following bike tests, there is so much wrong with that system it is unreal.

On the subject of cars however, I believe a compulsory amount of hours for both day and night time driving should be made. I fail to see how 1 year is going to make any difference in the maturity of drivers though. And to be fair I've been nearly hit crossing a road or on my push bike by more elderly drivers then I have newly qualified drivers.

I think cars should be restricted in size until you have enough experience, maybe a similar thing in place that is currently in place with motorbikes, although that is not foolproof.

I think lessons and tests also need to be drastically updated. I'm learning to drive now. I have epilepsy. I'm honest about my condition with my doctors, tell them when I fit, which hasn't been for several years now, but if I didn't tell my doctor, the DVLA only write and ask my doctor when they last heard of me having a fit, so if I didn't tell them, like others I know with epilepsy, they'd grant me a license regardless.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

definitely

And the chief exec of the AA just agreed with me on the news! That's the same as almost being famous, you know!

Can I have your autograph?

don't encourage him ........... he will be even more incorrigible

It's too late...the "ink" is coming out.

stop playing with it - u'll get all messy!!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

From my experiences of driving on motorways and A roads its 30 something men that drive erratically. Older people tend to steer clear of those roads as a rule. According to something I read somewhere some time ago men cause most deaths on the road, women have more minor accidents. When I get time I'm going to Google it. People causing death by d*unk driving should have a life ban

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"From my experiences of driving on motorways and A roads its 30 something men that drive erratically. Older people tend to steer clear of those roads as a rule. According to something I read somewhere some time ago men cause most deaths on the road, women have more minor accidents. When I get time I'm going to Google it. People causing death by d*unk driving should have a life ban "

So you're proposing that all men in their 30's should be banned?

If everyone had better training when they were learning the statistics would probably far better than they are. In some parts of Scandinavia learner drivers must learn how to control a car on a rally circuit before being allowed on the road!

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By *rumCoupleCouple
over a year ago

birmingham

Will it make any difference I wonder.

Our lad is 17, and he has zero interest in driving. Like all his mates. Which is a stark contrast to when we grew up, and it was rare not to have passed your test before 18.

Their answer is "why bother ?. We can't afford a car, so why waste the money.". Fair enough we're city dwellers, so have a bus network which helps. However this isn't a UK phenomenon. It seems to have caught on in the US too.

If it continues (and I don't see why it won't) the market for cars is going to shrink. And insurance will continue to rise (the fewer that insure, the fewer to spread the risk over) which could become a viscous spiral.

Again, another example of government duplicity at it's best. You can't enforce years of anti-car policies and dogma, and then act surprised when a whole generation get the message and stop driving. Luckily businesses don't exist in the real world, and so will have no problems filling vacancies, as people can just magic themselves to work.

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