A number of new restrictions may come into force for new drivers. Those who have recently passed a driving test may have trouble adapting to driving unaccompanied. New legislation may place restrictions on the carrying of passengers though immediate family members may prove an exception. Is this the best way to help integrate inexperienced drivers to life on the road?
A total ban on carrying passengers altogether is one of the new proposals. Though this may sound reasonable to some it will prevent the gaining of valuable driving experience. Up until passing the test a learner will always have been accompanied either by an instructor or a driving standards agency test examiner. This inexperience of driving alone is a major factor in the accident statistics for younger drivers.
New drivers will naturally be apprehensive when driving alone and unsupervised after passing the test. Doing this completely unaccompanied can really add to driving nerves. A busy traffic situation no passenger to give advice or a calming word can feel very lonely indeed. Driving accompanied by a friend who has already gained experience can be a great aid to calming nerves and facilitating a safer drive. Immediate family members will often raise tension levels through unguarded comments and criticism of the driver.
As there are now fewer traffic police patrolling the roads it would be very problematic to enforce such restrictions. Vehicles would need to be pulled over and licenses inspected to see how long the driver has been qualified if suspected of carrying passengers during the period of restriction. Passengers would need to prove that they are immediate family making this a long and costly process.
Driving instructors will be aware that some pupils may never drive after dark until they have passed their test. Another proposal is restricting new drivers to daylight hours and imposing a night time curfew. If a pupil only took driver training in the daytime then it is true they may lack sufficient experience to drive safely in the first few months. Surely a more comprehensive and structured approach to driver training is the answer rather than restrictions on young drivers. A post test night driving course could be taken and signed off by an instructor. Post test lessons to be taken with friends in the car could be a possibility.
New drivers may need to transport work colleagues or drive unaccompanied in a work environment. Surely better training and post test courses are a more positive way forward for the young people who are important to our economic prosperity.
Driving Instruction Check Test Criteria – Risk Management
The test of continued fitness to instruct is changing for driving instructors in order to take a more client centred approach. This replaces a system which placed importance on fault finding and demands more direct pupil involvement. Risk management is a main topic in the new version of the test so let's take a look at this.
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When a motorist fails to stop at a red light they may opt to take a traffic light workshop course. This replaces endorsement points and a fine. The course is designed to make motorists aware of the danger of failing to stop at red traffic lights and hopefully change driver behaviour.
