Congratulations and well done to Jack Hughes on passing his Driving Test. I think that’s the whole clan done now!  Happy motoring.

Patrick

The government are looking at Maybe making it compulsory that you can not take a driving test until your 18, so you have to take a year of training, as you can still get your provisional at 17. Also banning you from driving at night unless you have a 30yr driver sitting next to you. You will need to have 100hrs training and 30hrs night training. And a year on probation after that.

The pit falls are: To get 100hrs @1hr a week which is the norm will take 2yrs (so now your 19) or 2hrs a week which a lot will not be able to afford. And some pupils who pick up driving quickly will start to get bored and it then effects there attitude towards it.

People need to drive for work, day and night. It will also make it harder for 17/18 year olds to get work as a lot of employers want driver’s.

Again it appears the people in power are out of touch, they sit behind their desk making decisions that effect us, but who do they consult with? I notice they will not raise the age of learning, a vote loser I think!!

They need to educate 17yr olds about the dangers of bad driving and attitudes towards it, not alienate the majority for the sake of the few morons. And what makes them think that at 18 they will be any more responsible than at 17, sometimes I think they don’t live in the real world of ordinary people. It will just encourage more youngsters to drive illegally. And who and how will it be policed? As they don’t have the resources to do so.

Yes a minimum learning period is a good idea, but make it  a sensible figure, then a graduated licence system where they get signed over by a qualified instructor to advance on to night driving and the motorway.

Have your say do you agree or not, let me know.

Patrick.

ps: On daybreak this morning the correspondent  said lessons were around £50 if anyone knows where they charge that let me know and i’ll move.

Just a Rumour, but could be a change to independent driving making it 20mins, would then have to make the test longer therefore less test in a day = longer waiting list and probably a drop in the pass rate’s. Watch this space.

Just to let my pupils know, new corsa will be on the road from Wednesday, so look out for a black one. Rental has to be returned then. Patrick.

Would like to congratulate Desmond Maguire on Passing his Driving Test 1st time today, well done you. Happy Motoring.

Patrick.

All the instructors at Talbot School of Motoring would like to wish all their pupils past and present  who are off to start university this year, the best of luck, and hope you all enjoy the experience. May all your dream’s and wish’s come true. And if you can, carry on with your driving while your away.

Good Luck.

Patrick, Bob, Ian and Jim.

Congratulations to Jacob Daley who passed his test this week, And 1st time. Well done Jacob. Happy Motoring.

Patrick

Young driver insurance firm Marmalade, has released details of a survey of young drivers. It comes as no surprise that it contradicts my last pot and what is expected in the governments green paper expected out soon, In they say:

84% would not support a ban on carrying passengers,  60% not in favour of 11pm-5am driving restrictions,  91% say yes to alcohol ban,  70% say 12-month minimum learning period would not have made them better drivers.

Could this change your thinking on previous post.

footnote 23% of motorists say they are more nervous with passengers than on there own.  you work that one out. And 10% of drivers told axa they don’t say sorry when they make a mistake. Personally I would put that figure much higher either that or they all live in Luton!!

New report suggests 20% fall in insurance premiums “IF” new drivers accept curbs on car use. ie: A 1yr minimum learning period so you would be able to cover all types of driving and weather conditions, restricting the number of passengers you can carry for the first year and conditions for late-night driving, a 3 year probation period instead of the current 2 years, with P plates compulsory. I also feel they should make motorway driving tuition compulsory, so pass your test, then after a few months getting used of driving round town, min 2 motorway lesson’s get a certificate to say you have done it then get you licence up graded to allow you onto the motorway. As currently 1 in 5 young drivers (17-24 year olds) will have an accident within 6mths of passing their test and 1,552 young drivers were Killed or seriously injured on Britain’s road in 2011- that’s more than 4 a day. Young driver’s make up 25% of all those killed or injured yearly, but only account for 8% of licence holder’s.

The fact’s are there, but will the government be strong enough to implement them, probably not as it’s a vote loser. Will young people want it? Probably not as they think there invincible. The problem to-day is every-one want’s it as cheap and quick as possible, they should remember it’s a life skill. There Is More To Learning To Drive Than Just Passing A Test. Every time you get in your car you in control of your life and others, a sobering though. If you have an opinion please let me know.

Patrick

At last the police have been given the power to impose on the spot fines for people who, tailgate on motorways and HOG the centre lane, also there is a rise in the fixed penalty  fine to £100 for mobile phone use and  no seatbelt. Whether this will make a difference only time will tell. You must also wonder how easy it will be to enforce?  But its a start.

Patrick