Learner drivers could be allowed on motorways.

[Shadeyman]

In a separate move learner drivers could be allowed on motorways, Mr Penning told the Committee.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8252976/Insurers-could-get-access-to-DVLA-database.html

Now there's a recipe for disaster.

 

[Hellcat]

Not really, the main dual carriageway here is a lot more hectic than most motorways I've been on. Motorways = point in correct direction + apply throttle + keep applying throttle

 

[a1ant]

Better than a driver who has just passed there test, venturing out onto the motorway with no guidance or instructor with them. At least if they're allowed to do it whilst they are learning, they will have someone to instruct them what to and not to do, and hopefully gain some experience before they go out on a motorway on their own.


Alan

 

[dronenrs]

i'd rather they were taken on the motorway for the first time with an instructor rather than going on first time potentially on there own and not knowing what they are doing... otherwise its just an option with pass plus

 

[Stu DemonD]

I don't see an issue with this, as long as the instructor thinks the timing is right.

 

[Focus Owner]

i think it should be iam only

 

[arc]

I don't see an issue with this, as long as the instructor thinks the timing is right.

you assume that there'd always be a qualified instructor, not just an older friend/brother/sister/parent who says "go on the motorway!!"

 

[Stu DemonD]

you assume that there'd always be a qualified instructor, not just an older friend/brother/sister/parent who says "go on the motorway!!"

Indeed I do - a learner in a proper DIA "instructors" car, as marked accordingly, hopefully with dual-controls.

I should have made myself clearer when I typed 'instructor' and not someone who can just legally sit with a learner.

 

[dave]

older friend/brother/sister/parent and also some driving instructors don t use a motorway right, common sense and confidence are the main skills needed for motorway driving, they cant be taught. more driving on them may boost the confidence or could also freak people out so much they become worse and end up as 1 of the many others that just sit in the middle lane staring with no awareness of anything going on around them

 

[colin79666]

Agreed- only with a professional instructor.

As said above some duel carriageways are worse. When I was learning my instructor gave me lessons on the Edinburgh City Bypass (A720) which I found much worse than the M8 (which is only a dual carriageway for most of the way from Edinburgh to Glasgow).

 

[Rawb]

Fantastic idea, I think all learners should have to go on a motorway at some point, Me and a mate went to London for a gig, he refused to drive because it was motorway miles, pathetic, if newly passed drivers are scared of motorways... Then what hope is there?

 

[Focus Owner]

i had motorway training in pass plus.
taught me not to check my blind spot.
when your doing that 70 foot has just passed infront

 

[Kier]

I hated going on the motorway for the first time by myself, I don't really like it now, as the one near me goes from 2 lanes, to 4, cars all over the place! Once I'm past that bit, its fine.

Still find it strange that learners can go on a dual carriage way, which most have the same speed limit on.

No Daily Mail this time btw?

 

[JFL]

I went on the motorway myself within a week of passing my test... was the A1 and M62 on a sunday late afternoon... thought i did pretty well

 

[Hellcat]

i had motorway training in pass plus.
taught me not to check my blind spot.
when your doing that 70 foot has just passed infront

Stupid advice imho. You check what's infront and make sure that during the time you will have checked your blind spot nothing will have driven into the 70ft infront of you.

Of course collecting the front wing of the car next to you with the rear wing of yours is preferable to travelling 70ft forwards without looking. 70ft is only 20ish meters. Is it really worth the risk?

IAM - what qualifications do they have beyond their own?

 

[Focus Owner]

well they have passed an extra test

 

[Hellcat]

With "better" driving practice defined by who?

Rather than not checking your blindspot, how about teaching people (if its possible) better awareness? So you don't need to - because you already know where all the cars are that were around you.

Anyway, I drove several hundred miles of motorway within a week of passing my test. Up and down the M1, M18 and M62. Easy as pie.

 

[dave]

Rather than not checking your blindspot, how about teaching people (if its possible) better awareness? So you don't need to - because you already know where all the cars are that were around you.

that's how i drive, if you constantly check mirrors then you know if a car is in blind spot because its gone from middle mirror and not yet in the side mirrors.

then you get blind spot hoverer's who are so afraid that you may pull out on them they sit in your blind spot for 10 minutes building up the courage to pass, they do my head in

 

[Prilliant03]

Fantastic idea, I think all learners should have to go on a motorway at some point

Fine in theory, but not in practice, especially if you live in Penzance or Inverness.

 

[dronenrs]

or isle of wight i guess:
actually thats a point ... do the people on the IOW go mainland to drive.. and do the test . is there a centre on the isle of wight ??