Would G D Ls Be Effective ?

[Canary42]

GDL = Graduated Driving Licence. (e.g. after passing Driving Test, progress up to full licence is based on experience.)

See link for one point of view (obviously driven by very tragic circumstances), but the item includes some thoughts on how effective GDLs might be.

Let's hear a few AB views.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-45627115

[One could also argue for some of the recommended restrictions to also begin to phase in with very elderly drivers, e.g. maximum speed, night driving, etc., but that's a topic for another thread]

[kvalidir]

20 years old, been driving ever since I could, and tbh I can't see this helping, never had a crash, got bike and car licenses, I drive here a little 1.2 diesel Ypsilon generally as as runabout but frequently drive large powerful cars and vans as well.
The thing is, there are a couple of driver groups, one that over estimates their abilities and takes chances they shouldn't and one that doesn't. This won't change that, it simply makes life inconvenient for those of us who drive properly.

[bhg481]

How are they going to measure experience? Time since passed test is no use because you could pass the test and then not drive for years. Mileage driven would be very difficult to authenticate. People need to recognise their weaknesses and some people who have been driving for years don't seem to be able to do that.

[Old_Geezer]

It initially sounds reasonable, but I'm not so sure. To gain experience one needs experience. Stop night driving for two years and don't you just delay the issue ? Multiple tests might work, less convinced about simple delays.

[woofgang]

That was my thought OG. You learn how to drive under varying conditions by driving in those conditions. Multiple tests are going to be very hard and expensive to implement, also when its weather conditions that are being tested for, how do you guarantee the conditions on the test day? Sorry but saying she was driving within the speed limit is irrelevant. It was drummed into me when I learned that the speed limit is the limit in perfect driving conditions....any deviation from perfect conditions and you reduce your speed.
I do have a suggestion which is that the parents of a young driver should consider signing them up for either the IAM or RoSPA advanced driver scheme. They will go out driving with expert drivers and learn skills beyond those needed to pass the test.

[vulcan42]

Wouldn't the "black box" system be better? that allows drivers to continue to gain the all important experience but being monitored at the same time. They also get more realistic insurance.

[woofgang]

Vulcan I agree that the black box system has its benefits but not sure it would have stopped this crash.

[vulcan42]

woofgang, possibly not but the box does monitor, amongst other things, speed, braking and cornering. It's possible it might have picked up on an earlier occasion when the drivers technique was suspect and recorded it, leading to extra tuition.

[CrapAtCryptics]

I followed a car bearing P plates for a relatively short distance yesterday and he made 4 serious errors such as not stopping at a pedestrian crossing when there were clearly pedestrians waiting and jumping the next set of lights. Has it come to the point where getting your license means you can then ignore basic rules of the road.

[AuntLydia]

My 17 year old has just passed his test this summer. All his lessons were taken in the town he was going to take the test, along the test route,and his dad had him out every night around our rural roads which have different challenges. He passed second time -nerves got him the first time.

His dad has recently taken him out on the A1 up and down to get him used to motorway driving. However, not all young drivers have this support, and I as a parent would like to see a three stage test: Theory, Town & Country driving and finally Motorway and Hazzard.

You can take an advanced test at the moment but this is not obligatory. I also think every young driver, at the moment of the Theory test, should be shown a video with no holds barred showing the results of car accidents.

[bhg481]

Vulcan - the snag with your black box idea is that you are assuming only the new driver drives the car fitted with the black box.
AuntLydia - motorway driving is difficult to test if you live in the north of Scotland or some other area far from a motorway.

[tonyav]

They'd be driving slower than on normal roads on the motorway network in my neck of the woods.

[ToraToraTora]

What a load of old pony. The best thing for road safety would be that you are not allowed anywhere near a car until you've done at least 2 years on a motorcycle.

[THECORBYLOON]

What if someone felt safer on four wheels rather than two?

[ToraToraTora]

they they are not fit to be on the road, next!

[THECORBYLOON]

What evidence do you have to support that claim?

[Prudie]

I think you have to be a competent car driver to ride a motorbike safely not the other way round. Bikes are far more dangerous and teach young riders some very bad habits such as weaving in and out of traffic and particularly dangerous overtaking because of the increased acceleration and to some extent the thrill that provides. Utterly disagree with that suggestion.

[ToraToraTora]

TCL 4 wheels are safer than two, that goes without saying but proper road craft comes from proper training on a bike. On a bike if you hit something it hurts so you tend not to which means you learn defensive riding. Apply that to a car and it's sorted.

[Prudie]

These are US figures but speak for themselves:
"According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you are 37 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than a car accident – and nine times more likely to become injured while riding a motorcycle than while driving a car"

[THECORBYLOON]

I agree that being a cyclist or a motorcyclist can improve driving ability but it should not preclude non-riders from getting behind the wheel.

[THECORBYLOON]

Accident figures will include those where car drivers are at fault.