An excellent idea for road safety
Poll: An excellent idea for road safety
Total Members Polled: 184
Discussion
Some folk said:
A road safety group today called for restrictions on newly-qualified drivers in a bid to cut road deaths.
A “graduated” driving licence could mean new drivers being limited to the times they can drive, restricted on how many passengers they can carry and subject to tougher drink drive laws.
Mark McDonald said figures showed 17 to 25-year-olds are most likely to be in a fatal collision during the festive break. He said: “Sadly, the party season raises the numbers of people getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol. Not only that, but the road conditions can be extremely dangerous – particularly for new drivers who are not used to it.
“Moving to graduated licences – such as making limitations on driving between 11pm and 4am, a zero blood-alcohol limit and restrictions on passenger numbers – could cut road deaths and may even boost insurance prospects for young drivers.
“Although we know deaths on UK’s roads are down by 11 per cent, it is still the case that young drivers – who are the group most likely to have newly qualified – remain substantially more likely to be involved in a road accident.
“If there is anything we can do to reduce their chances of being in an accident, we must do it
So what are your thoughts about thisA “graduated” driving licence could mean new drivers being limited to the times they can drive, restricted on how many passengers they can carry and subject to tougher drink drive laws.
Mark McDonald said figures showed 17 to 25-year-olds are most likely to be in a fatal collision during the festive break. He said: “Sadly, the party season raises the numbers of people getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol. Not only that, but the road conditions can be extremely dangerous – particularly for new drivers who are not used to it.
“Moving to graduated licences – such as making limitations on driving between 11pm and 4am, a zero blood-alcohol limit and restrictions on passenger numbers – could cut road deaths and may even boost insurance prospects for young drivers.
“Although we know deaths on UK’s roads are down by 11 per cent, it is still the case that young drivers – who are the group most likely to have newly qualified – remain substantially more likely to be involved in a road accident.
“If there is anything we can do to reduce their chances of being in an accident, we must do it
Also a poll broken up for age groups
I don't think a graduated licence is a terrible idea; however as someone has mentioned, implementation and execution would be the main sticking point.
But tbh, i doubt much would change anyway with the numbers of traffic officers/general police at this present time.
The main thing is drink driving, i never drink and drive, what's the point in only having half a pint; i'd rather have nothing. but i expect many people would disagree with me on that.
But tbh, i doubt much would change anyway with the numbers of traffic officers/general police at this present time.
The main thing is drink driving, i never drink and drive, what's the point in only having half a pint; i'd rather have nothing. but i expect many people would disagree with me on that.
orangesrule said:
The main thing is drink driving,
That's perhaps true around the new-year, but if you mean generally I disagree. Drink driving receives massive focus in exactly the same way that speeding does, and for largely the same reasons - it's an easy target. There are far more important places to focus, IMO.
I would be quite rightly pissed if this happened when i was younger.
Im a far better driver than most of the 40 years floating at 71mph in the right hand lane :/
I.E its a load of rubbish.
Either included night and motorway driving as pre test criteria in way similar to pilots licenses or dont bother.
To elaborate I think it would be best if learners racked up 5 hours motorway and 5 hours nightdriving before a test. As opposed to limiting them to daytime only.
Im a far better driver than most of the 40 years floating at 71mph in the right hand lane :/
I.E its a load of rubbish.
Either included night and motorway driving as pre test criteria in way similar to pilots licenses or dont bother.
To elaborate I think it would be best if learners racked up 5 hours motorway and 5 hours nightdriving before a test. As opposed to limiting them to daytime only.
PHmember said:
I think you should have restricted engine sizes for new drivers & only be able to increase the engine size after a certain amount of time with a full licence - a bit like with bikes.
Thing is insurance is already a major restriction on the amount of power you can have under your right foot these days. You can still do a lot of damage/kill yourself and others with 60bhp.Anything with much less power that weighs around a ton, i would consider to be dangerous, in terms of acceleration (ie slipways ect)
Edited by orangesrule on Monday 31st December 18:14
Surely limiting the number of passengers etc, that are currently in place in northern ireland would make more of a difference. Does anyone know their road death/injury figures compaires to the mainland?
I dont think restricting times of travel would work very well as many under 25s will need to be able to commute around the clock.
I dont think restricting times of travel would work very well as many under 25s will need to be able to commute around the clock.
Some folk said:
“Moving to graduated licences – such as making limitations on driving between 11pm and 4am, a zero
blood-alcohol limit and restrictions on passenger numbers – could cut road deaths and may even boost insurance prospects for young drivers.
“If there is anything we can do to reduce their chances of being in an accident, we must do it
I just don't like this line of thinking, sure its sad that a few youngsters die each year but is it really necessary to ruin driving for the rest of them? “If there is anything we can do to reduce their chances of being in an accident, we must do it
Lowering the blood alcohol limit is pretty pointless, best concentrate on catching those way over the current limit really?
As for a curfew on night driving, one of the things I enjoyed as a teenager was driving around with friends in the car late at night. Seems a shame to rob a generation of this basic pleasure.
I guess the thing that bugs me is when I was starting to drive about 3000 people died a year on the roads, we have now got down to about 2000 people. Seems like a massive improvement, sure it can be improved but if its going to cost large numbers of people their personal freedom then is it really worth it? I don't think so.
Number of people in a car is something to look at, but I don't think the time of day is. Besides, people may need to drive at night for work.
My ideas are this:
1. A stricter driving test with a bigger emphasis on how a car can lose control, and what to do when its out of control would help a lot.
2. Take really cheap tyres that we would call ditch finders off the market.
3. Add motorway education and motorway driving to the test.
4. Improve cats eyes on the roads before adding more cameras. I see a lot of speed cameras on roads that are extremely poorly lit.
I still think that some young people are dying in survivable accidents because they are forced into cheap cars with poor safety as the cost of insurance is so high. How many 17/18 year olds come on PH with a budget of £4k and have to blow 2/3 of it on insurance instead of spending it on a newer and safer car?
My ideas are this:
1. A stricter driving test with a bigger emphasis on how a car can lose control, and what to do when its out of control would help a lot.
2. Take really cheap tyres that we would call ditch finders off the market.
3. Add motorway education and motorway driving to the test.
4. Improve cats eyes on the roads before adding more cameras. I see a lot of speed cameras on roads that are extremely poorly lit.
I still think that some young people are dying in survivable accidents because they are forced into cheap cars with poor safety as the cost of insurance is so high. How many 17/18 year olds come on PH with a budget of £4k and have to blow 2/3 of it on insurance instead of spending it on a newer and safer car?
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