Learner Drivers.

[SpyCamera]

Hi all, I have been driven mad over the last couple of months with learner drivers who are on the road for the first time. I don't think that some of the driving schools look after their new drivers safely.

Now I know that everyone has to learn to drive, but would it not be better to make learner divers use a track away from traffic to get to grips with the car. i.e (start/stop/using gears/traffic lights/turning etc)Once they get to grips with this they get a cert to allow them on the roads to continue to learn right up to their driving test.

Now I don't want to come across all righteous but there has been some near misses that I've seen with brand new learner drivers, and there only ones I've seen. I'm only talking about brand new drivers with no road knowledge or driving skills at all and not the learner driver who has been driving for a couple of months.

I would be interested in hearing your views.

Spy.

[Josh B]

.... until PROPER teaching facilities are made or enforced on learner drivers this suitation WILL NEVR change.

It's far too easy for L'rs to get a license, get daddy to insure them & away with 'em at whatever speed they feel like. All these L'rs are greta in a straight line but come to a corner or an awkard suitation these L'rs could react properly :(

[Astraman]

This situation which allows somebody who's never driven a car in their life out on the public roads is an absolute disgrace.I'm sure we've all been stuck at crossroads,roundabouts & traffic lights just because the person in front doesn't even know how to take off in 1st gear without letting the car conk out.
I agree with you Spy 100%.People shouls at least know the basics like taking off,changing gears,indicating and turning,using the handbrake when stationary on hills etc.,
before they are allowed out on the public roads.

On the other hand and I don't know if anyone agrees with me here but in my opinion the amount of L-plate drivers on the road has reduced considerably in the last year.
I think that this is as much due to the cost of insurance even for named drivers as it is to people passing their tests.Any opinions??

[BeCos]

Well shouldn't there be designated areas with big signs that say " WARNING - Driver Tuition Area " so everybody could take extra care. There will never be an exclusive track for them but they shouldn't be allowed to drive willy nilly when some of them can be so dangerous!!

Also shouldn't the parents who possibly also own the cars being driven take more responsibility for ensuring their offspring can actually manouver a car to a reasonably safe degree before giving over the car key every weekend??

[Phil]

Churchtown is a big pain in the neck for me, stuck behind learner drivers with no driving experience at all. Please can the driving schools take new drivers off the main roads please until they get the basic skills under their belts.

It's dangerous and slows traffic down to a crawl.

[Blind Boy Grunt]

I agree with Spy - No way should somebody be legally allowed to start learning from scratch on a public road.

I think they already have some kind of system in Germany where you must have X ammount of lessons on private facilites before you can go venture out onto a public road. The downside is that this is very expensive but you can't argue with the logic.

Where Irish law gets really stupid is where you can drive on your own on your second provisional - huh? After this one the only qualification you need is to have failed a driving test.

Fair point about the parents but the law should still protect the general public from those who don't act responsibly.

"Driver Tuition Areas" might be a good idea as long as there they don't pick my road!
:disgust:

[Phil]

That German system sounds good to me. I wonder what the insurance would be like if a system like that was in place.