Noel Edmonds is my hero
Discussion
His article in the Sunday Times today on how roads should be reformed is a great plea for common-sense. I haven't googled to link to it as it will be behind a pay wall. But it's all sensible stuff - the abolition of traffic lights on roundabouts, removing speed cameras etc. It might be a bit liberal - he wants bi-annual driving tests and I'd want them to be annual. Why does a car need to have an MOT every year to make sure its roadworthy and you don't?
He also wants cars graded and licences applied to them, much like the existing system for HGC and PSV. I'd argue that for the first few years driving tests should get harder. You need to show continuous improvement.
Perhaps the scariest thing I ever heard was as I sat in the cubicle at a publishing company where I worked in London. Two people were at the sinks chatting. One said "how was the weekend", the second "OK, I moved flat from Bath to London, so I had to rent a van. I passed my driving test three years ago and hand't driven since, so it was a bit scary driving on the motorway for the first time and I'd never driven something that big".
Bear in mind this is completely legal.
The Edmonds article is written to provoke a reaction (all politicians are crooks, when I'm in power I'll confiscate speeders cars and keep them if they are nice ones). I hope that doesn't obscure the sense of the real message.
Simon
He also wants cars graded and licences applied to them, much like the existing system for HGC and PSV. I'd argue that for the first few years driving tests should get harder. You need to show continuous improvement.
Perhaps the scariest thing I ever heard was as I sat in the cubicle at a publishing company where I worked in London. Two people were at the sinks chatting. One said "how was the weekend", the second "OK, I moved flat from Bath to London, so I had to rent a van. I passed my driving test three years ago and hand't driven since, so it was a bit scary driving on the motorway for the first time and I'd never driven something that big".
Bear in mind this is completely legal.
The Edmonds article is written to provoke a reaction (all politicians are crooks, when I'm in power I'll confiscate speeders cars and keep them if they are nice ones). I hope that doesn't obscure the sense of the real message.
Simon
I wonder what realistic benefit we could expect to see by continually retesting people. Given that many bad drivers have passed the test in the first place, the basic assessment would have to be significantly stricter to begin with before any further testing would be worthwhile. I can't imagine that one could possibly argue that the cost of setting up an infrastructure to retest every driver annually would be justified by the benefits.
Not least because without increased traffic policing by humans, it would be easy enough to drive without a licence at all.
Not least because without increased traffic policing by humans, it would be easy enough to drive without a licence at all.
I dont agree with yearly testing, it will just become an admin bind and cost loads of public cash.
However, i do think that there should be more re testing after certain incidents and offences. Or at least more education of drivers caught for "due care" "dangerous" etc, as well as the bans and fines etc.
But a blanket yearly test would cost a fortune and be a sizeable burden (time and finanacial) on people and even industry IMO.
Oh and on he sense of what Noel is saying, also remember he said, "dont worry, the chain is safe" and "Blobby, Blobby, Blobby!"
However, i do think that there should be more re testing after certain incidents and offences. Or at least more education of drivers caught for "due care" "dangerous" etc, as well as the bans and fines etc.
But a blanket yearly test would cost a fortune and be a sizeable burden (time and finanacial) on people and even industry IMO.
Oh and on he sense of what Noel is saying, also remember he said, "dont worry, the chain is safe" and "Blobby, Blobby, Blobby!"
Edited by s3fella on Sunday 22 August 11:54
miniman said:
I wonder what realistic benefit we could expect to see by continually retesting people. Given that many bad drivers have passed the test in the first place, the basic assessment would have to be significantly stricter to begin with before any further testing would be worthwhile. I can't imagine that one could possibly argue that the cost of setting up an infrastructure to retest every driver annually would be justified by the benefits.
Not least because without increased traffic policing by humans, it would be easy enough to drive without a licence at all.
The test means/reveals little. They are displaying what you want to see (in order to get something off you) not necessarily what they want to do. What they do after the test will be in line with their own values & beliefs, not the testers. It's rather like those who fawn over the boss for advancement, but bad mouth them behind their back & can't stand them.Not least because without increased traffic policing by humans, it would be easy enough to drive without a licence at all.
It's the formation of values & beliefs in relation to driving that are important.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 22 August 12:17
simonrockman said:
Why couldn't a test be self-funding. If it's £70 that's only two tanks of petrol.
Because you've got to have the initial infrastructure set up for 30+ million drivers to be tested regularly. That will mean massive increases in buildings & personnel. Do you know what the recruitment & training costs are for just one DSA examiner ?vonhosen said:
simonrockman said:
Why couldn't a test be self-funding. If it's £70 that's only two tanks of petrol.
Because you've got to have the initial infrastructure set up for 30+ million drivers to be tested regularly. That will mean massive increases in buildings & personnel. Do you know what the recruitment & training costs are for just one DSA examiner ?And administrating the people that are away at the anniversary of the licence expiry, temp extensions, people driving abroad, people who cannot be arsed, people who can take the retest a month early, but not on the date, appeals process, DVLA f
king up the licence enttitlement of people who have retaken etc etc etc. It is unworkable without huge cost and inconvenience, and therefore ultimately pointless.
If Nu Labia were still in, it would no doubt be on the agenda!
simonrockman said:
....
Perhaps the scariest thing I ever heard was as I sat in the cubicle at a publishing company where I worked in London. Two people were at the sinks chatting. One said "how was the weekend", the second "OK, I moved flat from Bath to London, so I had to rent a van. I passed my driving test three years ago and hand't driven since, so it was a bit scary driving on the motorway for the first time and I'd never driven something that big".
Bear in mind this is completely legal.
We DO NOT have motorways in Suffolk, but I think providing you are confident to drive you can drive in any condition. Perhaps the scariest thing I ever heard was as I sat in the cubicle at a publishing company where I worked in London. Two people were at the sinks chatting. One said "how was the weekend", the second "OK, I moved flat from Bath to London, so I had to rent a van. I passed my driving test three years ago and hand't driven since, so it was a bit scary driving on the motorway for the first time and I'd never driven something that big".
Bear in mind this is completely legal.
2nd job I had was driving onto motorways in a van and then into central London - Scary? A little bit for the first hour.
Driving tests are over the top now. Remember the days where at 16 you will fill your Provisional Licence in with a crayon and post it off for FREE!
How much does it all cost now? Money, money and more money!
The theory test is stupid. What the hell is the point of it? Driving comes from experience as far as I can see. Plus some of the questions that I saw contained questions over the environment. What the hell as that got to do with it?
Good idea to cause more and more confusion. Here, follow this for motorbikes.
http://www.motorbikestoday.com/features/Articles/g...
Over the top and a total (legal) scam. Imagine the uproar if your car sitting on your drive ceases to be within the remit of a new licencing law.
simonrockman said:
tsk. You don't do it straight away. You issue new licences which are only valid for 5 years, then a few years later licenses which are valid for three, then two then one.
& how will waiting until the 30+ million who can drive now are 70 help ?(Because that's when they have to re-apply for their licence next & there is no driving test with that re-application).
By then cars & transport systems are likely to be nothing like we currently expect.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 22 August 12:37
simonrockman said:
Why couldn't a test be self-funding. If it's £70 that's only two tanks of petrol.
So we would still have to pay the highest taxes on fuel in Europe, ever increasing road fund licence costs and now you want to add an additional £70 per annum licence re-test fee. They seem unable to police the number of drivers without insurance and/or road tax, so how do you condsider this additional burden would be dealt with.
You Sir (and Noel) are Dagenham East.
Even a private pilots licence lasts for 24 months minimum (depending on age).
tubbystu said:
Even a private pilots licence lasts for 24 months minimum (depending on age).
As long as you use it or you have to pass a proficiency test (before it expires). And you are only qualified for whatever rating you're trained to, eg single, twin, visual or instruments etc. The graduated nature could be applied to cars in relation to performance perhaps.Why change anything?? Things are fine.
simonrockman said:
Perhaps the scariest thing I ever heard was as I sat in the cubicle at a publishing company where I worked in London. Two people were at the sinks chatting. One said "how was the weekend", the second "OK, I moved flat from Bath to London, so I had to rent a van. I passed my driving test three years ago and hand't driven since, so it was a bit scary driving on the motorway for the first time and I'd never driven something that big".
Bear in mind this is completely legal.
So they didn't say they'd crashed or had a near miss with a bus full of children? No real problem then is there?Bear in mind this is completely legal.
How about going back to basics.
How can the police enforce a annual driving test?? They cant even catch the millions out there with no liscence and no insurance now.
Lets catch these bds first amd make them pay before they try and cost law abiding citizens like myself any more money first. That way the roads will be safer, insurance should drop.
I consider myself an easy target, as I have a job and a home, therefore if I was caught with no liscence I would face a big fine and possibly loose my job as a result.
Some scallywag who has no job doesnt care as he cant pay his fine, and the government pay them benefits anyway so he cant loose.
Noel Edmunds brought us the Gwizz, was on swap shop and deal or no deal,he was on Top gear when it was crap in the seventies and has a beard. What the fk does he know?
How can the police enforce a annual driving test?? They cant even catch the millions out there with no liscence and no insurance now.
Lets catch these b
ds first amd make them pay before they try and cost law abiding citizens like myself any more money first. That way the roads will be safer, insurance should drop.I consider myself an easy target, as I have a job and a home, therefore if I was caught with no liscence I would face a big fine and possibly loose my job as a result.
Some scallywag who has no job doesnt care as he cant pay his fine, and the government pay them benefits anyway so he cant loose.
Noel Edmunds brought us the Gwizz, was on swap shop and deal or no deal,he was on Top gear when it was crap in the seventies and has a beard. What the f
k does he know?Flanders. said:
Next Friday I'm getting my new company Van dropped off. Its a 3.5T Luton Tranny. I've never driven anything like it before. Should be fun.
you'll get used to it remarkably quickly. on a van, its really only the width you need worry about whereas with a 7.5tonner you have to remember the back end will scribe a much tighter line when manouvring. I'm sorry but vans and lgv's are piss to drive. given what I witness on the roads everyday, I'd much more welcome additional licensing for performance vehicles.
not read the article yet, just got in with the shopping and will do shortly.
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