Is the Driving Test Sufficient in this day and age?
@thedailyclick (3017)
January 9, 2010 12:07pm CST
Right now here in the UK we are experiencing the worst sustained wintry weather conditions for decades, not as bad as other countries, but because of it roads are gridlocked with cars slipping and sliding as well as various prangs. Why is this when in the past snow and ice was part of winter here and yet people managed to drive through it?
Well I believe a lot is to do with a new generation of drivers who have never known what I would call a proper winter as in what we are experiencing at the moment and because of this they don't know how to drive in it. It's all too easy for someone take a few lessons, sit a theory test and then a practical test and as long as you pass bob's your mother's brother you can go and drive a car, but it doesn't prepare you for driving in snow and on ice. So I feel that the driving test needs to be rethought and somehow it should also take in driving in adverse conditions, maybe by driving on a skid pan so you can learn how to drive safely and control your car when it skids.
What else could be done to make the driving test more efficient at preparing new drivers for these adverse conditions? Do they do anything special in your country to prepare new drivers for this?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Jan 10
The driver's ed book for NC (in the USA of course, but you knew that!) states that "no matter how old a beginning driver is, it takes years for someone to become an experienced driver"... So what they are saying there, or atleast my interpretation of it, is that you can only gain experience by experiencing it yourself. I agree that maybe different places should have skid pans as you mentioned or something of the like. Part of the test that will help others. I suppose in different parts of the states, as well as in any country with mountains their tests may be a bit different to make things more sufficient for drivers who will come across inclement weather at a stronger force, and more often.
1 person likes this
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
10 Jan 10
Hi SomeCowgirl, thank you for responding. I totally agree with what is stated in the driver's ed book, but there is also the flipside of that is the more years you drive the more bad habits you pick up, but that's irrelevant to this discussion, lol. Sadly in the UK the test is identical where ever you live and doesn't take into account local variations such as hills, weather etc making it in my mind inefficient.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Jan 10
Yes, the more bad habits, and the more and more your driving capabilities can suffer. That is to say, that as you get older your reaction time changes. The NC driver's ed book takes into account rural areas with curves and hills and talks a bit about how to navigate through said areas. Not sure about other state books, but I'm sure you could type in DMV.gov or .org maybe and find something for the USA if you were so inclined.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
10 Jan 10
I think if anything it's gotten more difficult on teens driving. Now, you do have to take a class and there are strict limits places on the teen after they first get there license. Limits like when they can drive, and who can be in the car, how many people can be in the car. If they are found to have broken the rules they lose their license, no ifs, ands, or buts.
For any driver an accident can happen in adverse weather conditions. It doesn't matter how much experience you have, ice has a way of equalizing everyone. With teens, their biggest driving obstacle is usually distraction. Playing with the radio, joking or showing off to their friends....with the newer restricitons, it's helping to make getting that bit of driving experience a bit safer.
@thedailyclick (3017)
•
10 Jan 10
Hi uicbear, many thanks for your response. I agree that even here things have got harder for new drivers, not just teens, with limitations after they have passed their test. But I disagree about experience and ice because once you learn how to drive on an icy road, controlling the accelerator etc it makes you more aware and more prepared, something which would be beneficial to somehow incorporate into a test, because otherwise you're first experience is when actually driving where you can put others at risk rather than in a more controlled environment.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
3 Oct 10
Hi tdc, We lived in the UK for 4 years until 2001. I got a driving licence there and felt that it was one of the most difficult tasks...I got it only in my second attempt. To be frank with you ,Compared to India , UK has maintained an excellent standard where rules and regulations are concerned.I wish we could have some of it here as well, the standards here are pathetic, to say the least ! have a nice evening
