Back in 2013 Dean Gaffney, of Eastenders fame, was involved in a car crash which resulted in him having a lengthy scar on his forehead. In the rounds of interviews afterwards he admitted that he hadn't been wearing a seatbelt and that he was very lucky just to come away with a scar and nothing worse. He said that he had been 'naughty' in not wearing his seatbelt.
One of the problems with the emphasis on wearing seatbelts is that the predominant view is that it is a legal requirement and that's why we should do it. What many people don't remember is why the law is there and why it is important to belt up. Not wearing a seatbelt isn't just breaking the law, it is risking your life.
Back in the 1970's there was an extensive advertising campaign to encourage drivers and passengers to wear their seatbelts. The campaign was fronted by Jimmy Savile and the slogan 'Clunk click, every trip' became known in households up and down the land. Whilst the presenter may now be discredited, the message isn't and is as relevant today as it was then. Cars are much safer these days than they were back in the 1970's but the physics is the same and if you go from 40mph to 0mph in a nano-second it is going to hurt you. The air bag may prevent some of the injuries but injuries mean nothing if you are dead.
As an ex-police officer I have seen a few of the effects of accidents where car occupants have not been wearing their seatbelts. How anyone deals with that on an ongoing basis is beyond me. How anyone can sit in a car without belting up is also beyond me. I'm not good looking, by any stretch of the imagination, but I have two eyes, a nose that is straight and no scars on my face. Why would I want to risk that? Why would you?
As Eeyore once said "They're funny things, Accidents. You never have them till you're having them." When you get in the car and don't belt up, how do you know you are not going to have an accident? It may only be a trip just round the corner but you still don't know and when the accident is happening it is too late. Then you are at the mercy of momentum, physics and fate.
It takes a few seconds. It could save your life. Don't risk it. Clunk click, every trip!
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
Sunday, 8 February 2015
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Anarchy on the Roads
Last August I went out on a
Friday night to conduct a lesson. It was
the last time I will ever do it. It
seemed to me that every other car was driven by a boy racer and the standard of
driving by those that weren’t young men with an overload of testosterone were
just as bad. The final straw came when I
had to dual control my pupil on Bowaters roundabout due to a laughing maniac in
a Lexus who decided cutting us up was funny!
In a separate incident a couple of months later I was driving through
Welling in the early hours of the morning.
Waiting at a set of traffic lights turning right into Welling High Street,
I started to move forward when the lights changed to green. 3 cars approaching from the left decided that
their high speed race was more important than stopping at a red light – at
least the first 2 did, screaming through at speeds in excess of 50mph. The 3rd car did stop only to jump
the red light once we had completed our turn, overtaking us and tearing after
his mates.
Now the biggest issue with both
of these incidents isn’t the recklessness of the driving, although that is of
concern. It is that this kind of
behaviour is becoming more common because there is no attempt at policing it
whatsoever. Every day I see multiple
occurrences of wanton law-breaking on the roads, everything from using mobile
phones to jumping red lights, from illegal parking to dangerous driving. Within government there seems to be a belief
that simply introducing a law is sufficient to stop people doing things which
may be dangerous. Rules without
enforcement or without realistic threat of enforcement are rules which are not
going to be adhered to, certainly not by those who can’t even spell ‘law’ let
alone abide by it. When was the last
time you saw the police stop someone?
They know law-breaking goes on but they do not have either the resources
or the inclination to do anything about it.
Unfortunately, if we, as citizens, take evidence of careless or
dangerous driving to them, they still won’t do anything.
The vast majority of drivers on
the roads are reasonable most of the time.
We also know that anyone can make a mistake. Answering the mobile phone when driving is
not a mistake; it is a downright blatant breaking of the law. It is highly dangerous and if you haven’t had
an accident while doing it then that is more by luck than skill. Why is it that the best drivers don’t talk on
the mobile while they are driving?
Because they know it is dangerous, in any situation. Speeding can be a mistake and the speed
awareness courses are a good remedy for people who make that mistake. However, some speeding is not a mistake being
instead a blatant breaking of the law – we can all tell the difference. Slowing down for a speed camera and then
speeding up again is deliberate, not a mistake.
Why should I, as a law-abiding
driver, bother to adhere to the rules? The
likelihood of being caught is small and the punishment irrelevant. If a young driver was to not get insured on
his car and get caught, he would get a £300 fine and 6 points. If he got insurance in the first place it
could cost £2000. So it is cheaper to
drive without insurance! Okay, he may
get 6 points but is he really going to care?
So why do I bother? For two
reasons: First it is my livelihood at stake.
Secondly, I have a sense of civic responsibility which means that I am
going to abide by the law if I can.
Unfortunately this attitude is in shorter supply today than in the
past. Perhaps it is an age thing?
Now some will say that I am
excessively concerned about what examples of law-breaking are important and
which are not. My concern is that
breaking the law ‘by a little bit’ is simply a precursor to breaking the law
‘by a lot’ and it is still breaking the law!
When does failing to stop at an amber light turn into jumping a red
light? Half a second later? At what speed in excess of the limit does it
become a problem? If someone does 35mph
in a 30 limit, is that really any different to doing 38 or 40? Yes, the consequences may be more serious but
does that make the law-breaking any less serious? The consequences of law-breaking may be an
issue of degree. The punishment may be
an issue of degree. Law-breaking itself
is absolute - you are either breaking the law or you are not! If you, even as a predominantly law-abiding
citizen, do it, then stop. If you are
not part of the solution, you are part of the problem so stick to your
principles and drive the way you should, completely within the law, to the best
of your ability.
So, with the police having almost
completely abdicated responsibility for enforcing road law, how are we going to
stop this relentless push into driving without limits? In my opinion, every road user has a
responsibility in this area. Society as
a whole needs to take a stand against wanton law-breaking on the roads. Why do most people wear seatbelts when driving? Because the campaign back in the 1970’s got
into society’s consciousness and as a result society demanded that seatbelts
became the norm.
Take the very prevalent example
of mobile phone use. If you currently do
it, stop! If you wait until you are in
traffic or at traffic lights, then stop because that is still illegal. When you get in the car, put your phone on
silent and out of reach so that you are not tempted. If you need to use it, pull up somewhere safe
and legal and then use it. If you are a
passenger and the driver decides to use their phone, get them to pull over so
you can get out. Don’t get back in until
they put their phone out of reach. If
you ring someone and you know they are driving, when they answer ask if they
are hands-free. If not, then ring off. Take every opportunity to tell people what
you think of those who use their mobile when driving. Lead by example. If we make this activity distasteful enough
and those that do it idiots of a special class then maybe, just maybe, they
will think twice the next time.
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
Saturday, 3 January 2015
Learner Drivers - Friend or Foe
Learner Drivers – Friend or Foe?
Have you noticed that there seem
to be lots of learners on the roads these days?
Is your reaction one of “Oh no, not another learner!” followed by a
determined effort to get past, or do you allow them time and space to make
mistakes? We all lead busy lives. We often need to get from A to B as quickly
as possible and a learner getting in the way can be our worst nightmare... They
drive unbelievably slowly, don’t seem to know what a green light means and then
they go and stall! Grrrrrr!
Have you ever taken a moment to
consider it from the learner’s or the instructor’s perspective? We were all learners once and we all make
mistakes when driving. We all needed
somewhere to start, a quiet road maybe with very little traffic – somewhat
difficult these days. Or perhaps a car
park late in the evening when no-one is there – possible but probably private
land and therefore illegal. What happens
when the learner has the ability to start and stop the car, change gear and
handle simple junctions? Facing traffic
for the first time can be hugely daunting even for the most competent learners
and for some the first instinct will be to panic. Then we have to tackle roundabouts at which
point some learners wonder if they will ever be able to drive.
Most driving schools use dual
control cars so that we can intervene if necessary and most instructors will
use them at some point during lessons.
However, if the learner decides to swerve to the left into parked cars
because they never realised buses were so big when they are coming towards you,
we have to have lightning reactions to make sure that everybody’s cars remain
intact. The situation that is the most
frightening, however, is when the learner decides that stopping as quickly as
possible is the safest course of action and hits the brakes very, very hard! We have no control in that situation and with
modern cars, they stop almost instantly.
That’s why we put signs on the car not only saying that there is a
learner driving but also that sudden braking is highly likely. Our learners can stop very quickly, with
virtually no warning and when you don’t expect it. Consequently it is a great surprise to us that
following vehicles sit so close. Apart
from the pressure you are putting on a learner driver, who may be in traffic
for the first time, you are potentially putting yourself in danger because the
learner may not react as you expect them to.
Even stationary in traffic there is a chance that the learner may roll
back when attempting to pull away. Why
would you want to be so close that they may roll into you?
Another issue we understand is
the irritation when instructors persist in doing manoeuvres right outside your
house! Once or maybe twice a day is
fine, but when the twentieth learner car is there, you’re probably thinking of
ringing the estate agent. Unfortunately
there are certain areas which lend themselves to specific manoeuvres. You cannot do a turn in the road (3-point
turn for anyone over the age of 35) in a narrow road with cars parked both
sides. You cannot do a reverse around
the corner on busy roads or where there are vehicles parked (illegally) within
10 metres of a junction. We are limited
in our choices. Most good instructors
will try to avoid overusing specific areas but sometimes it is necessary. We try to keep disruption to a minimum so we
would crave your indulgence and ask you to be tolerant. If you do come across a learner in the middle
of a manoeuvre, keeping your distance and waiting patiently has such a positive
effect on both learner and instructor and it really does make a difference.
Surprisingly perhaps, there is
another side to this learner issue. As
instructors we really appreciate drivers who give us a little more time and
space but please don’t go too far in being helpful. Giving way to a learner when the learner has
no right of way can be really helpful, particularly at a busy junction, but not
always. If you wouldn’t give way to a
non-learner, please don’t give way to the learner. We understand and appreciate your desire to
help but the learner needs to understand the rules of the road as well as how
to control the car. Granting
inappropriate right of way can be very misleading and does the learner no
favours in the long run. If you do give
way, please be patient. It is amazing
how often the pupil will then stall because they are so keen to respond to your
kindness. Just because we don’t respond
immediately, it doesn’t mean we don’t want to!
Finally, as instructors we want
our learners to become responsible, aware, courteous and above all safe
drivers. We do our best to teach them
well and instil in them good habits and the right way to drive. They learn from us but they also learn from each
and every one of you when they see you driving.
Unfortunately learners cannot necessarily distinguish the good from the
bad. Just as it is our responsibility to
teach them well, it is every driver’s responsibility to demonstrate good
driving at all times so that learners understand the correct, safe way to
conduct themselves on the roads. All we
ask is that you drive considerately, patiently and safely so that our learners
have the best chance of becoming the best driver they can be. Thank you.
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
Monday, 15 April 2013
Eyesight
You know your eyesight is deteriorating when this happens!
I was with a pupil travelling along the North Cray bypass in Sidcup - it was a lovely sunny day so I had my sunglasses on rather than using the sunvisor. I spotted a couple walking towards us on the left hand side of the road and it looked like the guy was wearing four rather large pink sausages round his neck! I obviously had to look again because a) I have never seen sausages that big and b) I couldn't see why he would be carrying them round his neck.
As we got closer it still looked, even more, like sausages - but there was something distinctly odd about it.
As it became clearer I noticed that, in fact, it was a baby in a baby carrier facing forward. The carrier was exactly the same colour as the guy's T shirt and the baby was wearing some kind of pink outfit. So the arms and legs were very obvious, looking like giant sausages, but the torso was completely hidden by the baby carrier.
Now I know sometimes babies can be cuddly enough to eat, but they are not supposed to look like sausages! That's simply unfair........or maybe I'm just obsessed with food!
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
I was with a pupil travelling along the North Cray bypass in Sidcup - it was a lovely sunny day so I had my sunglasses on rather than using the sunvisor. I spotted a couple walking towards us on the left hand side of the road and it looked like the guy was wearing four rather large pink sausages round his neck! I obviously had to look again because a) I have never seen sausages that big and b) I couldn't see why he would be carrying them round his neck.
As we got closer it still looked, even more, like sausages - but there was something distinctly odd about it.
As it became clearer I noticed that, in fact, it was a baby in a baby carrier facing forward. The carrier was exactly the same colour as the guy's T shirt and the baby was wearing some kind of pink outfit. So the arms and legs were very obvious, looking like giant sausages, but the torso was completely hidden by the baby carrier.
Now I know sometimes babies can be cuddly enough to eat, but they are not supposed to look like sausages! That's simply unfair........or maybe I'm just obsessed with food!
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
Monday, 8 April 2013
People Watching
As I drive around the local towns, I occasionally get the opportunity to watch pedestrians as they go about their business and have noticed a few 'types'.
The Unpredictable
When I'm walking along the pavement towards someone who's had a few too many down the local, I end up playing 'dodge the drunk' - you know, trying to pass them without doing some kind of drunken two-step as they try to find the path around you before it moves again! For the motorist, these people are a nightmare for, whilst it may be relatively easy to follow a 3 foot wide path without falling off the 3 inch precipice into the gutter, crossing a road is a different prospect altogether. To the drunken mind, this expanse of same coloured tarmac all on one level is a playground to which the observer has absolute, exclusive access. In the woolly haze that, on a sober day, would pass as a mind, they simply cannot process these large, coloured, metal objects travelling quite quickly. To some they look like multi-coloured elephants - to which the response is either that 'This is the town, elephants don't live in the town' or 'Elephants are friendly, aren't they?' Whilst this may cause a momentary pause before stepping into the 'playground', any such pause will be insignificant and it is a certainty that the drunk will continue his merry way right into the path of the next 'elephant;.
The Leaner
The leaner is a specific case who needs to cross the road. Unlike the drunk, they recognise your motor vehicle for what it is - a large hunk of metal rapidly closing the gap between you and them. However, their desire to complete the transition from one side of the road to the other causes them to keep going. Whilst their brain, full of this insatiable desire, is already half way across the road, their feet recognise the need for caution and slow down. This causes the 'lean' where the head is in the road and the feet are on the pavement. If the judgement of the pedestrian is good, then car, head and feet work in perfect symmetry to ensure safe passage for all concerned. If, however, the car driver takes a responsible attitude and slows down slightly, the pedestrians' feet will slow but his head won't, causing even more of a lean. The driver slows down more...and then it becomes a game of how far the pedestrian can lean without either falling over or breaking into a run and getting across in front of the car.
The Bubble
The bubble is a particularly dangerous case. Predominantly female, always with young in tow, they believe, erroneously as it happens, that they are impervious to danger or injury and can stand in the road whilst putting or removing their children from the back seat of whichever car they happen to be driving. This is entirely due to the personal protection bubble that they have. Emanating from their centre of gravity i.e., rear end, it is large enough to encompass them, their child and the car door and will protect them absolutely if a passing car happens to get too close. They also assume that the more expensive the car, the more impervious the bubble...and of course it is well known that the term 4x4 refers to the size of the bubble and has absolutely nothing to do with the car itself. An unfailing belief in the power of their bubble makes them likely to step back into the road at any time without looking in the ridiculous belief that the bubble will proceed them.
The Snake
Beware the snake. The composition of the snake is specific, at least 5 youngsters, each at a different level of awareness. They want to cross the road. One sees an opportunity and moves to do so. Another follows and another and another...until the tail of the snake whips across the road in an uncontrolled frenzy. Whilst the first one has plenty of time to cross the road safely, the tail of the snake, made up of the slowest, least aware member of the party then gets dragged seemingly by some invisible force across the road, usually in front of whatever vehicle was approaching. The snake is also unique in that it may well be accompanied by a squeal of excitement, perhaps terror, by a female member of the party as she comes to the realisation that the head of the snake may be safe but being in the tail has put her in the unenviable position of being run over!
The Wide Load
Very much the slow moving vehicle of the pedestrian world, these are those people usually carrying at least two shopping bags, one in each hand, treading a fine line just to the left of the kerb stone. Always walking away from the traffic they happily overhang the kerb so that the right most shopping bag is actually over the road and not over the pavement. This is fine...assuming that having a prawn, tikka masala and strawberry trifle cocktail splattered all over your left wing is what you actually want. If the wide load is very wide, then the contents of the shopping bag may be the least of your worries!
The Pusher
The most dangerous of all the pedestrian hordes. To be a pusher you need something to push, usually a pushchair but occasionally some other kind of child conveyance and it must be occupied by a child. Rather than stopping short of the kerb and making sure that the whole of the child conveyance is safely and securely on the pavement, pushers insist on hanging one or more wheels over the kerb in the road to facilitate a quick dash across the road when the opportunity presents itself. Pushers largely falls into two categories, the unaware and the reckless. The former are completely unaware that the pushchair in front of them takes up room and if they stand in the same place as normal the pushchair must be in the road; the latter are aware that what they are doing is dangerous but proceed in doing it anyway.
I'm sure there are more than just these but beware - pedestrians are unpredictable and that makes them dangerous!
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
The Unpredictable
When I'm walking along the pavement towards someone who's had a few too many down the local, I end up playing 'dodge the drunk' - you know, trying to pass them without doing some kind of drunken two-step as they try to find the path around you before it moves again! For the motorist, these people are a nightmare for, whilst it may be relatively easy to follow a 3 foot wide path without falling off the 3 inch precipice into the gutter, crossing a road is a different prospect altogether. To the drunken mind, this expanse of same coloured tarmac all on one level is a playground to which the observer has absolute, exclusive access. In the woolly haze that, on a sober day, would pass as a mind, they simply cannot process these large, coloured, metal objects travelling quite quickly. To some they look like multi-coloured elephants - to which the response is either that 'This is the town, elephants don't live in the town' or 'Elephants are friendly, aren't they?' Whilst this may cause a momentary pause before stepping into the 'playground', any such pause will be insignificant and it is a certainty that the drunk will continue his merry way right into the path of the next 'elephant;.
The Leaner
The leaner is a specific case who needs to cross the road. Unlike the drunk, they recognise your motor vehicle for what it is - a large hunk of metal rapidly closing the gap between you and them. However, their desire to complete the transition from one side of the road to the other causes them to keep going. Whilst their brain, full of this insatiable desire, is already half way across the road, their feet recognise the need for caution and slow down. This causes the 'lean' where the head is in the road and the feet are on the pavement. If the judgement of the pedestrian is good, then car, head and feet work in perfect symmetry to ensure safe passage for all concerned. If, however, the car driver takes a responsible attitude and slows down slightly, the pedestrians' feet will slow but his head won't, causing even more of a lean. The driver slows down more...and then it becomes a game of how far the pedestrian can lean without either falling over or breaking into a run and getting across in front of the car.
The Bubble
The bubble is a particularly dangerous case. Predominantly female, always with young in tow, they believe, erroneously as it happens, that they are impervious to danger or injury and can stand in the road whilst putting or removing their children from the back seat of whichever car they happen to be driving. This is entirely due to the personal protection bubble that they have. Emanating from their centre of gravity i.e., rear end, it is large enough to encompass them, their child and the car door and will protect them absolutely if a passing car happens to get too close. They also assume that the more expensive the car, the more impervious the bubble...and of course it is well known that the term 4x4 refers to the size of the bubble and has absolutely nothing to do with the car itself. An unfailing belief in the power of their bubble makes them likely to step back into the road at any time without looking in the ridiculous belief that the bubble will proceed them.
The Snake
Beware the snake. The composition of the snake is specific, at least 5 youngsters, each at a different level of awareness. They want to cross the road. One sees an opportunity and moves to do so. Another follows and another and another...until the tail of the snake whips across the road in an uncontrolled frenzy. Whilst the first one has plenty of time to cross the road safely, the tail of the snake, made up of the slowest, least aware member of the party then gets dragged seemingly by some invisible force across the road, usually in front of whatever vehicle was approaching. The snake is also unique in that it may well be accompanied by a squeal of excitement, perhaps terror, by a female member of the party as she comes to the realisation that the head of the snake may be safe but being in the tail has put her in the unenviable position of being run over!
The Wide Load
Very much the slow moving vehicle of the pedestrian world, these are those people usually carrying at least two shopping bags, one in each hand, treading a fine line just to the left of the kerb stone. Always walking away from the traffic they happily overhang the kerb so that the right most shopping bag is actually over the road and not over the pavement. This is fine...assuming that having a prawn, tikka masala and strawberry trifle cocktail splattered all over your left wing is what you actually want. If the wide load is very wide, then the contents of the shopping bag may be the least of your worries!
The Pusher
The most dangerous of all the pedestrian hordes. To be a pusher you need something to push, usually a pushchair but occasionally some other kind of child conveyance and it must be occupied by a child. Rather than stopping short of the kerb and making sure that the whole of the child conveyance is safely and securely on the pavement, pushers insist on hanging one or more wheels over the kerb in the road to facilitate a quick dash across the road when the opportunity presents itself. Pushers largely falls into two categories, the unaware and the reckless. The former are completely unaware that the pushchair in front of them takes up room and if they stand in the same place as normal the pushchair must be in the road; the latter are aware that what they are doing is dangerous but proceed in doing it anyway.
I'm sure there are more than just these but beware - pedestrians are unpredictable and that makes them dangerous!
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
If I had to take my test again...
First let me admit that the subject of this post was not really my idea - it came from a chance comment made by someone else - but it got me thinking. Hopefully it will do the same for you. As an instructor I quite often hear experienced drivers say "If I had to take my test again, I wouldn't pass!" This raises a very simple question: Why? The answer may not be as simple as the question...but let's try.
Why do we have to pass a test? We generally accept that actually it is a necessary evaluation of our fitness to be on the roads behind the wheel of a one tonne killing machine. Whether we pass first time or fifth time, we are getting a permanent permission to drive from that point onwards. Most of us never give a moment's further thought to our continuing suitability to drive. "The government has said that I am fit to drive so therefore I must be."
When examiners are conducting a practical test they are, in reality, trying to ask two questions:
So, if our driving is of such a standard that we won't pass the test, then surely that implies that our driving is either not safe or not comfortable, doesn't it? Alternatively, it could be that the standard set by the Driving Standards Agency is unreasonably high.
To deal with the latter first. The standard required by the DSA encompasses a theory element as well as a practical element. The theory test requires a reasonable understanding of the law in respect of driving as well as road signs and procedures. The practical test examines the application of that understanding in a dynamic environment. So is the standard for the practical test too high? Is it expected that the level of a driver's skill will suffer a fall immediately after passing the test? The pass criteria for the practical test is a maximum of 15 driver faults with no serious or dangerous faults. It is not unreasonable that the number of driver faults might increase post-test as the driver becomes more comfortable when driving. However, surely we do not wish for any serious or dangerous faults as these involve potential or actual danger to ourselves or other road users. We don't want a post-test driver to commit ANY serious or dangerous faults, do we? If that is the case, then surely that means that we are satisfied that the standard required in the test is correct.
In respect of the former, when we take our driving test, we have to show a general competency in control of the car (comfort) and sufficient practical understanding of the application of that control when amongst other road users (safety). How likely is it that our car control has deteriorated? Unless we are suffering from some kind of physical ailment which has had a negative impact on our motor skills, it is actually more likely that our ability to control the car has improved. Therefore it is unlikely that our car control skills would be a reason for failing our test if we were to take it now.
If we are satisfied that the 'comfort' aspect of our driving is likely to have improved since we passed our test, this implies, by a process of elimination, that our ability to be safe on the roads is now in doubt, doesn't it? Very often when candidates fail their test with a serious or dangerous fault, they are actually unaware that they have committed any faults at all, let alone a bad one! It comes as a big surprise when the examiner tells them that they have failed for something they weren't even aware of doing. How often does the candidate say "What car?" in response to the question "Did you see the red car approaching from the left?" It is so easy to assume that because we haven't spotted a fault, that we haven't committed one.
The problem with the safety aspects of driving is that sometimes we are not aware of the dangers around us. Being oblivious doesn't make us safe; it just makes us lucky...sometimes. It isn't the dangers that we see, it's the dangers that we don't. We drive on regardless.
As drivers it is our responsibility to ensure that our driving is as safe as it can be. It is so easy to become blase and assume that just because we have x number of years with a licence that we are as safe as we were when the examiner told us we had passed. We all believe that we are safe, good drivers. If we really believe that we wouldn't pass our test these days, then maybe we aren't as good and safe as we think we are.
If I had to take my test again, would I pass? Yes. Would you?
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
Why do we have to pass a test? We generally accept that actually it is a necessary evaluation of our fitness to be on the roads behind the wheel of a one tonne killing machine. Whether we pass first time or fifth time, we are getting a permanent permission to drive from that point onwards. Most of us never give a moment's further thought to our continuing suitability to drive. "The government has said that I am fit to drive so therefore I must be."
When examiners are conducting a practical test they are, in reality, trying to ask two questions:
- Did I feel safe?
- Did I feel comfortable?
So, if our driving is of such a standard that we won't pass the test, then surely that implies that our driving is either not safe or not comfortable, doesn't it? Alternatively, it could be that the standard set by the Driving Standards Agency is unreasonably high.
To deal with the latter first. The standard required by the DSA encompasses a theory element as well as a practical element. The theory test requires a reasonable understanding of the law in respect of driving as well as road signs and procedures. The practical test examines the application of that understanding in a dynamic environment. So is the standard for the practical test too high? Is it expected that the level of a driver's skill will suffer a fall immediately after passing the test? The pass criteria for the practical test is a maximum of 15 driver faults with no serious or dangerous faults. It is not unreasonable that the number of driver faults might increase post-test as the driver becomes more comfortable when driving. However, surely we do not wish for any serious or dangerous faults as these involve potential or actual danger to ourselves or other road users. We don't want a post-test driver to commit ANY serious or dangerous faults, do we? If that is the case, then surely that means that we are satisfied that the standard required in the test is correct.
In respect of the former, when we take our driving test, we have to show a general competency in control of the car (comfort) and sufficient practical understanding of the application of that control when amongst other road users (safety). How likely is it that our car control has deteriorated? Unless we are suffering from some kind of physical ailment which has had a negative impact on our motor skills, it is actually more likely that our ability to control the car has improved. Therefore it is unlikely that our car control skills would be a reason for failing our test if we were to take it now.
If we are satisfied that the 'comfort' aspect of our driving is likely to have improved since we passed our test, this implies, by a process of elimination, that our ability to be safe on the roads is now in doubt, doesn't it? Very often when candidates fail their test with a serious or dangerous fault, they are actually unaware that they have committed any faults at all, let alone a bad one! It comes as a big surprise when the examiner tells them that they have failed for something they weren't even aware of doing. How often does the candidate say "What car?" in response to the question "Did you see the red car approaching from the left?" It is so easy to assume that because we haven't spotted a fault, that we haven't committed one.
The problem with the safety aspects of driving is that sometimes we are not aware of the dangers around us. Being oblivious doesn't make us safe; it just makes us lucky...sometimes. It isn't the dangers that we see, it's the dangers that we don't. We drive on regardless.
As drivers it is our responsibility to ensure that our driving is as safe as it can be. It is so easy to become blase and assume that just because we have x number of years with a licence that we are as safe as we were when the examiner told us we had passed. We all believe that we are safe, good drivers. If we really believe that we wouldn't pass our test these days, then maybe we aren't as good and safe as we think we are.
If I had to take my test again, would I pass? Yes. Would you?
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
Saturday, 8 September 2012
A week of contrasts
It has been an interesting week of contrasts for me, the highs and lows(?) of being a driving instructor.
On Thursday I took a pupil, John, for test. He passed with zero minors which, depending on the statistics you believe, only 1 in 250 or 1 in 5000 people do. Either way, he was my 43rd pass so 1 in 43 for me is pretty good!
Conversely on Wednesday I had to tell a pupil to postpone his test, because he simply wasn't going to be ready and I was concerned about his standard of driving. I hate delaying tests because I don't like to disappoint pupils and therefore find it difficult to do. However, in this case I made the right call and was happy with the way that I did it. The justification was plain and clear and ultimately I made the right decision.
I've also had a chance this week to enjoy the sunshine, have taken on a couple of new people and have some other prospects in the pipeline. I've also ordered my new car, a brand new Citroen DS3 - arrives 1st October.
Next week I may not be so satisfied but this week has been good!
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
On Thursday I took a pupil, John, for test. He passed with zero minors which, depending on the statistics you believe, only 1 in 250 or 1 in 5000 people do. Either way, he was my 43rd pass so 1 in 43 for me is pretty good!
Conversely on Wednesday I had to tell a pupil to postpone his test, because he simply wasn't going to be ready and I was concerned about his standard of driving. I hate delaying tests because I don't like to disappoint pupils and therefore find it difficult to do. However, in this case I made the right call and was happy with the way that I did it. The justification was plain and clear and ultimately I made the right decision.
I've also had a chance this week to enjoy the sunshine, have taken on a couple of new people and have some other prospects in the pipeline. I've also ordered my new car, a brand new Citroen DS3 - arrives 1st October.
Next week I may not be so satisfied but this week has been good!
www.ashleyschoolofmotoring.co.uk
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