Young Drivers

Young drivers are in the news again, see BBC News where a load of figures are spouted and bandied about as if this is new news. It is not new news, and never has been. The young have only ever learnt how lethal a car is as a killing machine by pushing the limits too far. But it the government that is at fault, not the young drivers.

Why?

Because all the government insists on is that non-drivers have to pass a driving assessment called The Driving Test. This is monitored by the Driving Standards Agency, a government quango set up to monitor and enforce driving standards. The result is that driving schools only teach non-drivers how to pass the driving test. They are not taught how to drive. It is assumed that they will learn that once they have passed the driving test and are allowed out on the road.

And that is the problem, or part of it.

There are now driving theory and hazard awareness components to the test that have to be passed before the non-driver can become a driver. But none of these, nor the "training" that ensures they pass the test itself, actually teach anybody how to drive. Awareness or surroundings, reacting in a correct and safe manner to what is perceived, handling the vehicle in a "situation" should not be learnt on the road AFTER passing the basic driving test. That is all it is, enforcement of a basic minimum standard and IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH for today's highly congested roads.

To become a motorcycle "driver" (i.e. rider) you have to undertake Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). This is followed by training and the equivalent to the car driving test, and then a progression through various sizes of motorcycle engine size and power outputs - effectively a motorcycle rider has to "earn" his/her stripes. So why is it different for car drivers?

Restricting young drivers to who they can take as passengers, or, how many simply is unenforceable. There are not enough policemen (or women) employed to make that work as an option. But making them start with a 2 seater car under 800cc before moving to a 4 seater car of up to 1100cc, then a 4/5 seater of up to 1500cc before allowing them to drive a car with an engine larger that 1500cc, with re-tests at each engine break - now that will result in the sort of results the government is looking for.

How can I be so sure? Because the statistics for motorcycle accidents and fatalities prove that it is an approach that has already worked. But, as there are so many more non-drivers that want to become drivers and who ARE voters then it won't happen because it will be seen as an election loser.