Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms learner drivers on motorways

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38464776

Could be dangerous , its bad enough without'em !

But maybe they'll end up safer than those who had no official motorway training?

Good idea but qualified drivers need to be aware and drive with caution!

Can't get the link to open for some reason, but surely it's far better that a first experience of motorway driving should take place while under instruction. It's not like they'd get taken onto the motorway until they are nearly ready for their test - I'm sure driving instructors have a well developed sense of self preservation.

The gist of it, without photos &c. Giles:

Learner drivers: Plan to include lessons on motorways


43 minutes ago

From the section UK

Learner drivers will be allowed on to motorways for the first time, if new government plans are approved.

Transport minister Andrew Jones says the move would help make roads in Britain safer.

The lessons will not be mandatory and driving instructors will decide when their students are ready.

The Department for Transport is also looking at trialling a "target number" of hours of lessons to complete before learners take their test.

The proposal is one of a number of ideas being considered by ministers as part ofafter a £2m research programme by the DfT into improving safety for new drivers.

The government said the change would allow learner drivers to "get a broader driving experience", practise at higher speeds and put their theoretical knowledge into practice.

Mr Jones said: "We have some of the safest roads in the world and we want to make them even safer.

"These changes will equip learners with a wider range of experience and greater skill set which will improve safety levels on our roads."

It will be up to driving instructors to decide if their students are capable enough to go on to the motorway

For car drivers, the changes would mean that competent learners would be able to have lessons on motorways with an approved driving instructor in a dual controlled vehicle.

For those on motorcycles, the Compulsory Basic Training course - which allows them to ride unaccompanied on roads - would also be updated.

Motorcycle training would also require more online courses, with novice riders having to take a theory test.

The plans have the backing of RAC director Steve Gooding.

"The casualty statistics tell us that motorways are our safest roads, but they can feel anything but safe to a newly qualified driver heading down the slip road for the first time to join a fast-moving, often heavy, flow of traffic," he said.

"Many are so intimidated by the motorway environment that they choose instead to use statistically more dangerous roads, so we welcome this move which will help new drivers get the training they need to use motorways safely."

'Safest' roads

New driver Cesca Astley, who passed her test earlier this year, told BBC Radio 5 live the first time she drove on the motorway was "really daunting".

But Ms Astley does not think these new proposals would have helped.

"I felt like passing my driving test was the confirmation I could do this. I don't think I would have been confident [driving on the motorway] before I passed my test."

Tim Shallcross, from road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, argues that with a little "tuition" and "supervision" learners will find the confidence to use the roads properly.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "They're our most inexperienced drivers, therefore we should put them on the safest roads we have."

But Mr Shallcross said he didn't want to see "cost obstacles" put in the way of learners and that "logged experience" could be used over "mandatory" training hours.

Trial targets

The Times reported on Friday that the government was also considering plans to introduce a mandatory minimum learning period for learner drivers, which could see them being made to spend up to 120 hours behind the wheel before taking their test.

A spokesman for the DfT said it was looking into a range of measures to improve safety for new drivers, including a trial of targets for the number of hours spent learning, but there were no current plans to introduce a minimum figure.

The department is also still asking for feedback from the public on the current training and testing for driving instructors.

Under instruction I think it's sensible. We wouldn't expect a train driver to try out a mainline for the first time on his own would we without being supervised?

My kids all did pass plus where once they had passed the test the had a driving lesson on a motorway.

Thant makes sense for me.

I passed (and learnt to drive) in 1994. I passed my test first time, without having ever driven on dual carriage way road with an instructor or on my test. The roads around Northants (at least my part) were the A14, A6, A45 that I used the most, mostly duel carriage ways.

I think a learner should pass the current test and then have a second set of lessons for dual carriage ways (and motorways) and have a second test for these alone. To be taken within a year of passing the first test (current test) and without being able to drive on dual carriage ways (or motorways) alone until having passed the second test.

They are such a big part of modern motoring.

Perhaps then we can eventually eliminate those who sit in the middle lane?

When both my kids passed their tests (20 years ago for the youngest)their driving instructor suggested his motorway driving package, just 2 hours of entry and exit procedures plus 'speed' driving....incredibly sensible and we snapped it up, prior to that neither had been much above 30MPH and we live in the middle of a large motorway network. The week after the lesson my son drove to Newcastle and said he felt totally comfortable on the motorway and well prepared. Money well spent in my book!

As a younger driver I do think the driving test is in some ways to easy. The pass plus element should be compulsory as the standard of driving has definitely got worse.

I'm not sure about the motorway lessons though before passing, its all ok if the tester and student are competent, but you never really know what a person will do until they have done it! There will be instructors who put people in the situation before there ready i'm sure, which isnt an issue upto the point they do something like stop on a slip-road in front of an artic doing 56.

You see it allready with some who definitely aren't ready to be on a road and need to be in a carpark practising.