AI Solutions: Shaking up the Learner Driver

AI Solutions: Shaking up the Learner Driver: How many have noticed major changes to the learning to drive process? In the last forty years not much has changed. We now have a th...

Shaking up the Learner Driver

How many have noticed major changes to the learning to drive process? In the last forty years not much has changed. We now have a theory test, yet for those of us who were asked a couple of questions from the highway code I believe we learned more, rather than the multi choice game that can be taken several times. Then we have the hazard perception test, a useful tool for a tutor, but for a test of ability?

So what else has changed? A couple of know your car questions, slightly longer in the driving seat, parking manoeuvres.

Yet the current Government, under pressure from the EU are after reform, on a grand scale, to reduce the amount of young drivers killed and seriously injured on our roads, despite the fact that the growing group are over 65. Will a big shake up be a vote winner? Of course not, so how quiet can they keep this? have they gagged the press? There has been very little information bandied about yet with the green paper due to be published next month it's gone quiet.

If you have a teenager about to learn to drive do you want it to be harder? The changes affect all age groups, so with more people leaving the learning process until they are twenty or older, is this just lip service, will it make any difference to the figures. Although teen drivers have always been a singled out group, how risky are they? Does the complacency of the older, experienced drivers put them at risk by not playing fair on the roads and expecting the novice to know how to cope with their random actions. Our roads are shared space, but in real terms does it really feel that way?

If we, as drivers, were nicer to each other, would road death fall, and would young drivers have a better chance?

Many would have us believe it is attitude, yet there is scientific evidence to suggest otherwise.

The interest of the driver is represented by groups of road safety professionals within the confines of the Driving Standards Agency arena, how many potential drivers get a say? How many are asked? The future of the learner driver is decided by those who have a financial interest.

I'm sure Mr McLoughlin would like your views? Or maybe not!